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FroniispUce 


Hindu Coolie and his Donkey. 







IN THE 


HIMALAYAS 


BY 

MRS. HELEN H. HOLCOMB, 

t| 

OF ALLAHABAD. 




PHILADELPHIA : 

PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION, 

No. 1334 CHESTNUT STREET. 

/ 



COPYRIGHT, 1886, BY 

THE TRUSTEES OK THE 

PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION. 


ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 


tZ- 3 SJ 


Westcott & Thomson, 
Stereolypers and Elecirofypers, Philada. 


CONTENTS 



\ 

Making Ready . 

CHAPTER ]. 

The Journey . . 

CHAPTER 11. 


CHAPTER Iir. 

Life in tiik Mountains 29 


J’liE Hail-Storm 

CHAPTER IV. 


CHAPTER V. 


Chukch-Going in the Mountains 49 


Strawberries . . 

CHAPTER VE 

The Surprise . . 

CHAPTER VIL 

72 


CHAPTER VIII. 


The Coming of the 1*ony 


3 


82 


CONTENTS. 


\ 

CHAPTER IX. 

rA(iK 

Tup: Promised Pleasure. — The Dancing Bears • . 91 

CHAPTER X. 

The Party 99 

CHAPTER XI. 

The Picnic 107 

CHAPTER XII. 

Mabel in Trouble 115 

CHAPTER XIII. 

The New Arrival 123 

CHAPTER XIV. 

The Coming of the Rain 131 

CHAPTER XV. 

The Birthday Party 139 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Smiles and Tears 152 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Mabel as Housekeeper 165 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

The Journey Home . 177 


MABEL’S SUMMER IN THE HIMALAYAS. 


CHAPTER I. 

MAKING BEADY, 

mamma, I wonder what can be the 
^ matter ? Here comes auntie in all this 
heat,” cried little Mabel Grey, turning from 
the window, to which she had rushed a 
moment before at the sound of wheels. 

Mamma came from her room when she 
heard her daughter’s voice, and papa came 
from his study. Then the outer door 
opened softly and was quickly closed, and 
auntie stepped into the midst of the little 
group. 

^‘Oh, auntie,” exclaimed Mabel, “what 
made you come out in this heat? It will 
make your head ache ;” and mamma, lead- 


6 


MABEJ/S SUMMER 


ing auntie to a seat, repeated Mabel’s 
question. 

''Uncle is not so well again,” answered 
auntie, " and this morning, when the doctor 
called, he told him that he could not get 
well in this great heat and must go imme- 
diately to the mountains ; and we have de- 
cided to leave on Monday evening.” 

For a moment no one spoke ; then mam- 
ma said, 

" So soon ? And this is Friday !” 

" Yes,” replied auntie, " and it is because 
we go so soon that I came out at this time ; 
for, knowing how troubled you have felt 
about Mabel’s health, I have come to offer 
to take her with us to the mountains. 
Will you trust her to my care?” 

A shout of delight burst from Mabel, and, 
springing into her mamma’s lap and wind- 
ing her arms about her neck, she pleaded, 

" Do let me go, mamma ! I am so fond of 
the hills ! Please do let me go with auntie.” 

But mamma did not answer, and a tear 


MAKING READY. 


7 


trembled in her eye; while papa looked 
very grave at the thought of parting with 
his little daughter. 

Mabel’s parents lived in India, and that 
country, you know, is not like America ; but 
for several months during the year, in some 
parts of India, the heat is so great that from 
the rising to the setting of the sun the outer 
doors are all carefully closed, to shut out the 
furnace-like air. Of course this life is very 
hard for little children, who cannot play out 
of doors except very early in the morning 
or in the evening. They grow thin and 
white, and many die. I have seen little 
pale-faced children stand looking out of 
the window watching for the going down 
of the sun, when the doors could be 
opened and they could run about under 
the trees in the open air. 

Mabel Grey was not a strong child, and 
two years before, when she became ill in the 
great heat, she was sent to the mountains, 
where she soon grew strong and rosy, and 


8 


MABEL'S SUMMER. 


her cheeks and limbs became so plump 
and round that when, on her return, her^ 
papa took his little girl in his arms, he 
said, 

What makes you so heavy, Mabel ? 
Have you been eating stones?” 

Auntie knew that MabeFs mamma was 
anxious about her little daughter now ; and 
when, because of uncle’s illness, it became 
necessary for them to go to the mountains, 
she remembered Mabel, and this had brought 
her out at a time when few Europeans ven- 
ture abroad. 

Please let me go,” again pleaded Mabel, 
patting her mamma’s cheek. 

‘‘Yes,” chimed in auntie, as she saw 
mamma hesitate and her eyes fill with 
tears; “Mabel will get back her roses and 
her strength in the mountains, we hope. 
Do let her go.” 

“ But she will be a great care to you, I 
am afraid, especially when uncle is ill,” 
pleaded mamma, faintly; for she felt that, 


MAKING READY. 


9 


hard as it would be to part from her child, 
she ought to accept auntie’s offer. 

No, no ! I will not be a trouble to 
auntie,” came quickly from Mabel. ‘‘ Why, 
I can help her in ever so many ways — 
bring things to her, and all that.” 

Mamma smiled as she looked into the 
eager little face, and, remembering another 
darling she had once clasped in her arms, 
but who now slept beneath the sod in the 
little cemetery, she said to auntie, 

‘‘ If you can care for her, I think we must 
let her go.” 

“Yes,” echoed papa; “I think we must 
let our little daughter go.” 

And so it was settled. 

Then auntie rose to go, followed to the 
veranda by papa, mamma, Mabel and little 
brother Frankie, whose baby-head could 
not at all understand why his sister Mabel 
was so happy and every one else so grave. 

The time passed very quickly to every 
one but Mabel, who thought the days 


10 


MABEVS SUMMER. 


longer than usual, though there were many 
things to interest her. Mamma was very 
busy preparing warm clothing for her lit- 
tle daughter, for she knew that in the 
mountains the air would be cool and fresh ; 
and, like other little girls, Mabel was fond 
of new clothes. Then Mabel busied herself 
in looking over her own treasures. The 
dolls were laid out, in order to decide what 
members of the family could be left be- 
hind. 

‘‘ This one is very pale — don’t you see, 
Frankie?” Mabel said — ‘‘so she must go 
to the mountains ; and perhaps she will get 
roses like me. And this one has lost a foot, 
and this a hand ; so they must both go. 
Then the mamma of all must go, to take 
care of the children, and of course the 
baby cannot be left at home; so I think 
I must take them all. I can pack them in 
one box. And now I must see about their 
wardrobes, just as mamma is looking after 
mine. I will put in some warm dresses and 


MAKING READY. 


11 


some wraps too, and these must be sent to 
the wash;” and away Mabel ran to find 
some one to do the work for her, with 
many charges to make haste, for was she 
not going to the mountains in just two 
days more? 

Frankie kept very close to his little sis- 
ter ; for though he could not appreciate all 
her preparations, yet Mabel was so full of 
life and happy bustle that it was pleasant 
to be with her. 

The dollies and their clothes are all 
packed now, and we will look over my 
books,” said Mabel a little later; ‘‘for I 
am sure mamma will not wish me to take 
them all. I want my ‘ Peep-of-Day ’ books, 
and my ‘ Susy ’ books, and my singing-book, 
and the new story-book papa gave me, and 
the last one that came from America ; and 
I’m going to ask mamma to give me paper 
and pen, and then, when I get to the moun- 
tains, I will print you a little letter. Don’t 
you think that will be nice, Frankie?” 


12 


MABEUS SUMMER. 


Mamma, coming that moment into the 
room, said, 

‘‘And would you not like some bright 
wools and canvas and needles, and thread 
and buttons, and cloth to make new dresses 
for your dollies?’’ 

“Thank you, mamma; I should like it 
ever so much. — And now, Frankie, I am 
going to say ‘ Good-bye ’ to the native 
Christians. Come with me, please. To- 
morrow will be Sunday, and you know 
I go away on Monday, and perhaps I 
shall be too tired then.” 

So the two children sallied forth to see 
their friends, Mabel in her excitement 
walking very fast, and fat little Frankie 
doing his best to keep up with her. 


CHAPTER II. 


THE JOURNEY. 

Tl^HEN Mr. and Mrs. Howard reached 
the station on Monday evening, Mr. 
and Mrs. Grey had not yet arrived with 
Mabel; but by the time Mr. Howard had 
secured a comfortable compartment in the 
railway-carriage, and made all other neces- 
sary arrangements for the journey, Mr. and 
Mrs. Grey made their appearance leading 
by the hand little Mabel, her face flushed 
and her eyes shining with excitement. 
Papa lifted her into the carriage and said 
to Mr. Howard, ‘‘We have brought our 
little girl to you,” while Mabel, clasping 
auntie’s hand, saidj 

“Will the train go soon, auntie? I 
thought the time would never come to 
start ; and then mamma forgot my umbrella, 

J3 


14 


MABEL'S SUMMER. 


after all — a nice new one — and we were 
afraid to go back for it lest we should be 
late.” 

While they waited mamma talked with 
Mrs. Howard about her little girl, and put 
into her hands some packages not intended 
for Mabel’s eyes, and which she said would 
perhaps amuse her should she get lene^. 

At length the signal for departure was 
given, and Mr. and Mrs. Grey, after em- 
bracing once more their little daughter and 
bidding good-bye to their friends, stepped 
from the train. 

When Mabel felt the train actually in 
motion, she clapped her hands and cried 
out. 

Now we are off!” 

Auntie, looking out of the window, saw 
papa and mamma standing close to the 
carriage watching for another glimpse of 
the bright face of their darling. Papa 
looked very grave, and there were tears in 
mamma’s eyes. 


THE JOURNEY, 


15 


‘‘ Now, auntie, I’m very tired ; please put 
me to bed,” said Mabel a few moments 
afterward. 

The railway-carriages in India are not 
like those in America. In India a carriage 
is divided into two or three compartments 
quite distinct from one another, each of 
whick-is entered by doors at the side. Mr. 
Howard had secured a compartment pro- 
vided with three long seats, which could be 
used as beds at night. 

Mrs. Howard arranged Mabel’s bed and pil- 
lows and disrobed the tired little body ; then 
Mabel, kneeling down, said her evening 
prayer, gave uncle and auntie a good-night 
kiss and was soon fast asleep, and slept 
soundly until morning. Then, as the sun- 
light began to stream through the windows, 
Mabel sprang up : 

‘‘ Oh, auntie, I’ve had such a nice sleep ! 
and I’m rested now just as much as if I had 
slept in my own little bed at home. Let me 
be dressed, please, and then I can look out 


16 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


of the window. I expect mamma is won- 
dering where we are now/’ she added, with 
a little touch of sadness in her voice. 

“ I am sure she thought of us as soon as 
she opened her eyes this morning,” answered 
auntie; ‘‘and when we get to Toondla, we 
will write her a letter.” 

“ Are we going to stop at Toondla ? Why, 
that is where Mrs. Keed lives! Shall we 
see her?” 

“We cannot travel in the day, my child, 
because of the heat; so Mrs. Reed has 
kindly asked us to spend the day with 
her.” 

“ I’m so glad,” answered Mabel, “ for I 
am very fond of Mrs. Reed.” 

The air soon became quite hot, and our 
travelers all grew wholly tired before reach- 
ing Toondla ; but at length the train glided 
into a covered station, and there were 
strange sounds, and strangely-dressed peo- 
ple were rushing in all directions. The 
station-house, with its shelter, seemed very 


THE JOURNEY. 


17 


pleasant after the heat and glare of the 
last few hours. Water-carriers were pass- 
ing back and forth on the platform with 
large skins filled with water slung across 
their backs, and the thirsty people on the 
train were loudly calling for water — water 
to cool their heads, water to slake their 
thirst. 

I am sure this is Toondla,” Mabel cried 
out when the train stopped, “for there is 
Mr. Reed waiting for us, and he looks so 
warm !” 

Mr. Reed was dressed in white. There 
was a white cover on the large sun-hat he 
wore, and a white cover on his umbrella. 

“We will hasten home out of this heat,” 
Mr. Reed said, when he had greeted the 
travelers, “ and Mrs. Reed is waiting to 
give us breakfast.” 

How hot the sun was, and how blinding 
the glare ! so that all were glad when the 
pleasant home of Mr. Reed was reached. 
In the large rooms the great fans sus- 


18 


M ABELLS SUMMER. 


pended from the ceiling were kept in con- 
stant motion, while into two of the rooms 
a stream of cool air was forced by a ma- 
chine called a thermantidote. One of 
these curious machines was sending a 
stream of cooled air into the room as- 
signed to our travelers. 

“ Oh, auntie, how nice this is ! Now we 
shall get cooled off,’’ exclaimed Mabel as 
she threw herself upon a couch. 

The day was oppressively warm, but with 
every door and window carefully closed to 
shut out the heated air the house was com- 
paratively comfortable. There was a long 
rest at midday ; then the letter to mamma, 
and the stroll in the garden after the sun 
went down, and the pleasant evening meal 
when the lamps were lighted. Mabel had 
a long nap then, but wakened in great good 
humor when told that she could continue 
her travels. 

All that night, and the following day 
until late in the afternoon, our travelers 


THE JOURNEY. 


19 


sped on toward the Himalayas, the air be- 
coming cooler, until, reaching Saharunpore, 
the point where they left the rail, the heat 
was much less oppressive than in their home 
in the plains. Just before the sun went 
down the party were stowed away in a con- 
veyance somewhat resembling an omnibus, 
but very rudely built. They had yet a 
journey of forty miles before reaching the 
foot of the Himalayas. 

As the darkness came on Mabel grew 
tired and sleepy, so auntie made a bed for 
her in the bottom of the omnibus, and the 
little girl was soon fast asleep. Uncle, too, 
was able to get some sleep, but auntie was 
too anxious to sleep. Every five or six 
miles of the way horses were changed. 
Sometimes they started otf at a furious pace, 
and sometimes they refused to move. The 
road, too, was not always safe ; and when a 
low range of mountains was crossed, the air 
was so cool that auntie feared both the in- 
valid and Mabel would suffer. It was a 


20 


M ABELLS SmmEB. 


relief, therefore, when the journey was at 
an end, and when, at two o’clock in the 
morning, the omnibus halted before a low 
thatched bungalow with a wide veranda in 
front. All was still and dark, but soon 
a light appeared and the house was opened. 
Uncle and auntie climbed down from the 
omnibus, and Mabel was carefully lifted out. 

Where are we, auntie ?” asked the sleepy 
little girl. “ Have we got there yet ?” 

Not to Landour, but to the foot of the 
mountains. We can sleep here until the 
darkness is gone ; then we will go up the 
mountain.” 

From the top of the great omnibus boxes 
and packages were handed down, and de- 
posited on the veranda; then the travelers 
were conducted to one of the little rooms, 
and soon all was still again. But with the 
first streak of dawn auntie was astir. After 
her own preparations were completed she 
took from Mabel’s box the warm clothing 
her loving mamma had provided for her; 


THE JOURNEY. 


21 


and when all was in readiness, she wakened 
the little girl. 

“What is it, auntie?” she asked, with 
eyes still unopened. 

“ Wake up, Mabel ! Uncle and auntie 
are dressed, breakfast will soon be here, 
and the men are at the door waiting to 
carry us and our bundles up the moun- 
tain.” 

“ Oh, auntie !” with a little scream of de- 
light. “And so I shall see Fannie to-day! 
Do you think they are expecting us ?” 

“Yes, dear; I wrote Mrs. Linton that I 
hoped we should reach Landour this morn- 
ing.” 

“ I’m so glad ! And am I really going to 
wear these warm clothes ? How funny I” 

“Yes, my child. The sun will be hot, 
like the sun in the plains, but the air will 
be pleasant and cool.” 

There are no roads over the mountains 
for carriages, and burdens are carried on 
the backs of mules and ponies or are borne 


22 


M ABELLS SUMMER. 


by men, and, hard * as the work is, because 
they receive more pay for it than for ordi- 
nary labor they are always ready to engage 
in it. 

While auntie was dressing Mabel and 
giving her her breakfast, uncle was on the 
veranda arranging with the men who had 
assembled. The packages and boxes were 
all placed before them, and each one was 
anxious to secure for himself the lightest 
load. Unless carefully watched, a strong 
man would pick up a small package and, 
strapping it to his back, march off triumph- 
antly, leaving the heaviest loads for those 
less able to bear them. 

Soon uncle’s voice was heard calling 
auntie and Mabel to make haste or they 
would find the sun very hot before they 
reached Landour. E-ugs and shawls were 
thrown over a conveyance looking some- 
what like the top of a small sleigh with 
two seats facing each other. A basket of 
luncheon was put in, lest Mabel should get 




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THE JOURNEY. 


23 


hungry in the fresh morning air. She was 
wrapped in a warm cloak; then auntie 
brought her scarlet hood, out of which 
her bright little face peeped, all smiles 
and eagerness. 

Leaping into the jhampan, as the curious 
vehicle was called, she said. 

This nice little seat is for me, and the 
wide one, just opposite, is for you, and I can 
see your face all the time ; and the cover 
over the top will shut out the sun.” 

Poles were fastened to the sides of the 
jhampan ; and when it was carried, the 
ends of the poles rested on the shoulders 
of the bearers. Four strong men lifted 
the jhampan from the ground and started 
off merrily, followed by four others to re- 
lieve them when they became tired. 

The morning was lovely and the air fresh 
and cool. The road led through a large 
bazar, and here one of the irons through 
which the poles of the jhampan passed was 
found to be broken, and it became necessary 


24 


MABEL’S SUMMER. 


to go back for another conveyance. The 
broken jhampan was set down upon the 
ground close beside some shops, while four 
men went back for a stronger one. Mabel 
did not like the detention, but amused her- 
self watching the people who passed. Here 
was a man driving ponies laden with bags 
of grain; then followed men bearing bur- 
dens upon their backs; there was a water- 
carrier with a skin filled with water slung 
across his back. Some coolies, in passing, 
asked for water. The water-carrier moved 
his skin a little to one side and opened the 
mouth of the sack, while the thirsty coolie 
sat down on his heels, joined his two hands 
and raised them to his mouth ; into his 
joined hands the water-carrier poured a 
small stream of water until his thirst was 
quenched. Thus they were all satisfied. 
The men from the little shops brought out 
bright brass vessels to be filled with water. 
Women were seen toiling up the hill bear- 
ing on their heads jars of water, brought 



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THE JOURNEY. 


25 


from some neighboring spring or well. 
How straight they were, and how grace- 
fully they bore their burdens ! 

Before some of the shops the owners were 
setting out baskets of grain for sale. These 
were the grain-merchants, and for the coolies 
who passed they kept a su^Dply of parched 
rice or corn, or some other grain, which they 
sold in small quantities, and which the men 
could eat as they walked along. Frequently 
two women were seen grinding at a mill, 
for in India the meal is ground as it is 
needed for daily use, and this work is 
usually done by women, who sit on the 
ground opposite each other. The mill is 
made of two round, flat stones placed one 
above the other. In the upper stone is a 
handle quite near the edge, and by this 
means the upper stone is made to turn 
upon the lower. Through a little circu- 
lar opening in the upper stone the grain 
is put in, handful by handful; and when 
the mill is turned, the grain is ground. 


26 


MABEL SUMMER. 


lu one shop gay native cloths were ex- 
posed for sale ; in another, skins of animals 
found in the mountains. Here was the shop 
of a money-changer, and before him, on a 
low table, were little piles of copper coin, 
and little heaps of shells also used as 
currency. 

But Mabel grew tired of watching the 
shops and the passers-by, and, looking 
back, exclaimed, 

see uncle coming, auntie, and the 
coolies bringing our boxes. I can see mine, 
and I do hope the poor dolls will not get 
broken.’’ 

Why are you sitting here ?” uncle asked 
when he came up. 

‘‘We’re broken down; don’t you see, 
uncle?” answered Mabel. “And you will 
get to Landour first, and perhaps we shall 
stay here all day,” she continued, with a 
little pout. 

“Oh no; I shall wait for you,” Mr. 
Howard said. “But here come the men.” 


THE JOURNEY. 


27 


To lift the rugs and the wraps into the 
new jhampan was but the work of a mo- 
ment, and the travelers moved on, the 
road becoming steeper and steeper and 
winding in and out, sometimes a high 
mountain on one side and a precipice on 
the other. Flowers were in bloom, and 
in shady nooks delicate ferns were grow- 
ing. Mabel was fond of flowers, and con- 
stantly asked to be allowed to get out to 
gather them; but auntie at length said, 

‘‘ If we stop so often, Mabel, it will 
be very late before we reach Landour, 
and Fannie will grow tired looking for 
you.’’ 

‘‘Well, then, auntie, I will not ask to get 
out any more, because in Landour I can 
gather flowers every day.” 

As they approached Landour, Mabel sud- 
denly called out, 

“ Oh, auntie, I remember this ! I’m 
sure we are almost there, and we shall 
see our own house very soon.” 


28 


MABEL'S SVMMER. 


Auntie smiled, but did not answer. 

Then, as they turned a corner, Mabel 
clapped her hands and shouted, 

‘‘ I knew this was Landour, and that is 
the very house; and I expect Fannie is 
on the veranda looking out for us.” 


CHAPTER III. 


LIFE IN THE MOUNTAINS. 

rpHE bearers stopped before a thatched 
^ cottage with a wide, pleasant veranda 
in front, and over the trellis-work honey- 
suckles were climbing. As soon as the 
jhampan was set down Mabel sprang out 
and, running up to the veranda, kissed a 
lady standing there, and then turned to 
salute a little girl, a year or two younger 
than herself, who stood quietly by the 
side of her mother. 

‘^You know me, don’t you, Fannie?” 
Mabel asked. ‘‘ And are you not glad I 
have come? for now you will have some 
one to play with you.” 

Fannie was very shy, and did not answer. 

A little child with rosy cheeks and bright 
hair was clinging to Mrs. Linton. 


29 


30 


MABEL 'S SUMMER. 


‘‘This is Katie, I suppose?” said Mrs. 
Howard. 

“Yes, and she is my youngest. But 
come into the sitting-room ; you must be 
tired, and hungry too, for it is late.” 

Breakfast was soon served, and, though 
Mabel, who was not at all shy, was quite 
ready to answer any question asked her 
about the journey, Fannie said not a word ; 
but whenever she thought she could do so 
without being observed, she stole glances at 
the new arrivals. 

By the time that breakfast was over, the 
men bringing the boxes began to arrive. 

“We will look at the rooms now,” said 
Mrs. Howard ; for the cottage was designed 
for two families, and it had been arranged 
that Mr. and Mrs. Howard should occupy 
the vacant rooms. 

“ But you will take your meals with me 
until you are settled,” said Mrs. Linton, 
kindly. 

“ To-day we shall be glad to do so, but 


LIFE IN THE MOUNTAINS. 


31 


to-morrow, I think, we shall be quite ready 
to begin life on our own account.” 

‘‘Let us go too,” said Mabel, taking 
Fannie’s hand, “and see where we are 
going to live. — Where will you sleep, 
auntie?” she asked, a few minutes later. 

“In this room, my child.” 

“ And where are you going to put me ?” 
asked Mabel, a little ruefully. 

“ In this room too. Your little bed will 
be on that side, just where I can see you 
all the time.” 

“ I am so glad, auntie, because, you know, 
I have never slept in a room all alone, and 
perhaps I should be frightened ; I know I 
should be lonely.” 

Mabel walked to the window, and then 
exclaimed, 

“ Please come here, auntie. There is just 
a little path close to the window, and a 
railing, and then you look down and down, 
and I can see great trees there. But here,” 
said Mabel, running to another window, 


32 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


“you look up, and up; and, auntie, when 
you have climbed to the very top, you can 
see mountains far, far away covered with 
snow. I remember, though I was a very 
little girl when I was here before — not 
more than five years old. But I was born 
here, above the clouds ; mamma told me 
so. And now may I go with Fannie and 
play outside?’’ 

“Yes, but you must not go in the sun 
without your sun-hat. And now I want 
to tell you that you must not climb about 
in dangerous places when you and Fannie 
are alone. Will you remember ?” 

“Yes, auntie,” was cheerfully answered; 
and the two little girls, hand in hand, 
tripped out into the sunshine. 

To our friends from the plains the air 
seemed very cool, so for several days after 
their arrival fires were kept burning in the 
grates, though the sun was warm and flow- 
ers were blossoming outside. 

The little girls were soon well acquainted. 


LIFE IN THE MOUNTAINS. 


33 


and Fannie’s shyness began to wear off, so 
that she would come into Mrs. Howard’s 
parlor to play, though at first she ventured 
no farther than the veranda. In the morn- 
ing, when Mabel opened her eyes, her first 
question usually was, 

‘‘ Auntie, have you seen Fannie ? Is she 
up and dressed?” 

Together the two little girls took their 
morning walks. 

Fannie is ever so much smaller than I 
am,” Mabel said one day; ‘‘so I can take 
care of her.” 

One evening Mr. Howard stepped out on 
the veranda, and, looking up the hill rising 
at one side of the cottage, saw Mabel on a 
narrow path far up the hill, and just where 
the bank was very steep. 

“ Mabel is quite alone,” he said ; “ and on 
that narrow path too! I am very much 
afraid she will fall.” 

Just then he heard stones rattling down. 
They struck the road, then glanced off and 


34 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


rolled and bounded far down the mountain- 
side. 

Mr. Howard sprang forward, and, climb- 
ing up the bank, caught Mabel, who stood 
poising herself, greatly frightened as she felt 
the ground slipping away beneath her feet. 
Taking Mabel in his arms, Mr. Howard 
said, 

Has not auntie often said that you must 
not climb in dangerous places when you are 
alone T 

“ But I did not know that it was danger- 
ous,” answered Mabel, with a little tremble 
in her voice. 

“ Did you not know that you ought not to 
have climbed there ?” 

Mabel hung her head, but made no 
answer. 

‘‘You said that you could take care of 
Fannie,” continued Mr. Howard; “but if 
you lead her into such places, you cannot 
be trusted with her. Did you see where 
that stone rolled just now? It did not 


LIFE IN THE MOUNTAINS. 


35 


stop on the path, but rolled far down the 
mountain, and so I am afraid my little 
girl might have done had she fallen/’ 

‘‘ Uncle, I will never climb up there 
again,” said Mabel, penitently. 

When Mr. Howard told his wife where he 
had found Mabel, she said, 

do not think she meant to be dis- 
obedient, but she is so young that she does 
not always understand where there is dan- 
ger, and in her love for flowers and ferns 
and pretty stones she is sometimes tempted 
to go beyond the line of safety. I know 
her mamma wishes her to be as much as 
possible in the open air, that she may gain 
health and strength ; so I think that we 
must try to find a trusty ayah to go out 
with her. In this way only shall I feel 
safe about her when she is out of my 
sight.” 

As soon as it was known that an ayah 
was wanted for Mabel women with letters 
of recommendation began to come to the 


36 


M ABELLS SUMMER. 


house. Some did not bring letters that 
satisfied Mrs. Howard, and with the ap- 
pearance of others she was not pleased; so 
it was several days before a suitable woman 
could be obtained. But one morning a 
pleasant - faced woman presented herself. 
Her clothes were clean, and her letters of 
recommendation were satisfactory. 

Take this woman, auntie, please,” plead- 
ed Mabel. ‘‘Don’t you think she has a 
pleasant face? and her clothes are quite 
clean. I think she likes children, too. — 
What was the name of the last little girl 
you took care of?” she asked the ayah. 

“Lillie, and I have her picture;” and 
from the folds of the large cloth which 
covered her head and shoulders she pro- 
duced a folded paper, out of which she 
took the picture of a little girl with a 
sweet childish face. 

“Oh how pretty!” exclaimed Mabel. 
“Did she give that to you for your very 
own? Then I think she must have been 


LIFE IN THE MOUNTAINS. 


37 


very fond of you. — Do take her,” whis- 
pered Mabel to auntie. 

“You may come to me on Monday,” said 
Mrs. Howard, handing the letters back to 
the woman, who, making a low salaam, 
left the room, followed by Mabel. 

“Don’t forget to come on Monday,” the 
little girl called after her. 

A few days after Mabel had climbed the 
high hill above the house she came rushing 
into Mrs. Howard’s room, and as soon as she 
could recover breath exclaimed, 

“ Oh, auntie, please come and look where 
Fannie is — in ever so much worse a place 
than I was. I told her not to go, but she 
would not mind ; and the ayah too told her 
not to climb there, but she climbed all the 
same. She wanted me to come too, but I 
remembered what you had told me; and 
besides, I was afraid. You can’t think 
how steep the bank is ! Just at the corner 
where we were playing Fannie found a ripe 
strawberry, and then she climbed higher and 


38 


MABEL'S SUMMER. 


higher up the bank to find more. Shall I 
go and tell her mamma 

“Not yet; perhaps she would be fright- 
ened. I will first go and see where Fannie 
is, and perhaps I can persuade her to come 
down.” 

Mrs. Howard followed Mabel around the 
house, and there, high up a very steep bank, 
was Fannie. 

“ Auntie sees you,” shouted Mabel. “ Do 
come down ; you will fall.” 

Fannie turned around and smiled, evi- 
dently enjoying MabeFs fright. She had 
already been several weeks in the moun- 
tains and had learned to climb, and was, 
besides, almost as fleet as a deer and as 
sure-footed as a mountain-goat. She there- 
fore felt no fear, and rather enjoyed her 
position, out of reach as she was. Pres- 
ently growing tired and feeling that all 
had been sufficiently frightened, she turned 
and came down the mountain to the spot 
where Mrs. Howard and Mabel stood. 


LIFE IN THE MOUNTAINS. 


39 


‘‘ Fannie, you have been disobedient — you 
know you have ; and I shall tell your mam- 
ma if ever you climb there again,” said 
Mabel, excitedly. 

“ I didn’t find any more strawberries,” was 
all the answer Fannie condescended to make. 

“Well,” said Mrs. Howard, as she saw 
that the two little girls were not disposed 
to be very happy just then, “ come into the 
house with me, Mabel, and read a while. 
You are tired of play.” 

Mabel hung back. 

“Did mamma say I was to have lessons 
here just as at home?” she asked. 

“She did not tell me, but I am sure 
she would not wish you to forget how to 
read.” 

“ But I do not like to read now, and I 
don’t want lessons every day,” Mabel 
whined. 

“ Come with me now, Mabel, and I will 
write and ask mamma about the lessons,” 
auntie said, taking Mabel by the hand. 


40 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


Drawing a low chair close to the window, 
Mabel looked among her books, and, finding 
one she had not read, was soon interested 
in its contents. When she had read some 
time, she closed the book quickly, set her 
feet on the fioor with a pat of impatience, 
and with a touch of disgust in her voice 
said, 

‘‘Auntie, this book says that the little 
children who read it will be surprised to 
learn that the stars have names, just as boys 
and girls have, and I’m not surprised one 
bit. I’m rested from play now, and tired 
of reading; may I go out again? I see 
Fannie on the veranda.” 

Permission was given, and, putting on her 
sun-hat, Mabel ran out, calling Fannie to 
come and see the water-carrier, who was just 
coming up the hill. 

“ I like to see him pour out the water,” 
she said. 

Soon she came running in again : 

“ Auntie, the gray horse — the one that is 


LIFE IN THE MOUNTAINS. 


41 


SO thin — fell down by the kitchen, and a 
sharp stone cut a hole in one of the leather 
sacks, and all the water ran out ; and then 
the man was so angry ! But the poor horse 
was not to blame, for all day long he goes 
up and down the steep mountain-paths, and 
I expect his master does not give him much 
to eat. But, auntie, why do they carry water 
on horses here?” 

‘‘Because, my child, the springs are far 
down in the valleys, and men could not 
carry all the water that is required. Look 
at the houses far up on the sides of the 
mountains. A man could not carry water 
enough for even one house, while a horse 
can carry a large load. This one man, 
with two horses, furnishes water for sev- 
eral houses. He goes to each house twice 
in the day — in the morning, and again in 
the evening. He requires each horse to 
carry a heavy load, but he also carries on 
his own back a large leather sack filled 
with water. There he goes up the hill 


42 


MA'BEL^S SUMMER. 


now, and you see how he bends under 
his burden and leans upon his staff for 
support. The man works very hard, but 
he should be kind to his poor dumb ser- 
vants. Each time he comes he fills the 
great jars in the kitchen with water, and 
the jars in the bathrooms, and also the 
jars for drinking-water. But you may go 
with the ayah for a little walk before she 
goes home.” 

‘‘As far as Emma’s house?” 

“Yes, dear; and perhaps Mrs. Linton 
will let Fannie go with you. You may 
ask her.” 

“Fannie is ready, and her mamma says 
she may go. We’ll keep near the ayah, 
and come back before dark.” 


CHAPTEE lY. 


THE HAIL-STOBM. 

auntie, how cold it is ! and the wind 
^ blows, and it is growing dark. Do 
you think it will storm?” 

Yes, Mabel ; I think the storm will 
burst soon. We will close the outer doors, 
and the ayah may make a fire in the bed- 
room. You may take your dolls and play- 
things there, and then ask Fannie’s mamma 
to let her come in and play with you.” 

That will be fine, and I shall forget then 
all about the storm.” 

Fannie soon came, and the little girls 
played very happily together for some 
time ; but as it grew darker the children 
came into the sitting-room, where Mrs. 
Howard sat with her sewing. 

It grows darker and darker, and the 

43 


44 


MABEL’S SUMMEB. 


wind howls so that I am almost afraid/’ 
said Mabel, creeping close to auntie’s side. 

Mrs. Howard laid aside her work, and, 
passing an arm around each little girl, 
said kindly, 

“ There is nothing to fear, my children ; 
God takes care of us in the storm as well 
as in the sunshine.” 

The little girls were very quiet ; but when 
the storm burst in hail, beating upon the 
thatched roof with a muffled sound, Mabel 
cried out. 

It’s hail, auntie ! I wonder if any poor 
people are out in this storm?” 

They stood at the window watching the 
hail as it was drifted by the wind in little 
piles in corners, until in some places the 
ground was quite white. Then the clouds 
suddenly rolled away, and the storm was* 
over. 

‘‘ May we open the door now and go out 
and gather hail, Fannie and I?” asked 
Mabel. 


THE HAILSTORM. 


45 


‘‘Yes, dear; and when you come back, 
I will tell you a little story about a hail- 
storm.’^ 

The little girls soon returned, each with 
a cup filled with the white rain. 

“We are ready for the story now,” Mabel 
said as she placed a low chair on one side 
of Mrs. Howard for Fannie, and seated her- 
self on a footstool on the other side. 

“ Do you know,” began Mrs. Howard, 
“that every year great ships laden with 
ice come to Calcutta from America ? Many 
of these ships come from Boston. One even- 
ing, just before the sun went down, a little 
boy who lives in Calcutta, and whose name 
is Willie, said to one of the servants, 

“ ‘ Give me a glass of ice- water, please ; I 
am so thirsty and warm I feel as if I 
should faint.’ 

“ ‘ The evening ice has not yet come,’ was 
answered. 

“ ‘ Oh dear ! what shall I do ?’ he groaned. 
‘ I am so warm, and it gets hotter and hotter. 


46 


MABEL’S SUM3IER. 


I must have some ice, and Vll go and ask 
God to give me some just now.’ 

‘SSo Willie kneeled down, and this was 
his prayer : 

‘ Please, dear Jesus, send me some ice 
quick y for I’m so warm that I’m almost 
sick.’ 

‘‘Punning back to the parlor from his 
own little room, he saw the servants rush- 
ing hither and thither in haste to close 
every door and window. 

“ ‘ What is the matter, and what makes 
it so dark?’ asked Willie, turning to look 
out of one of the windows. 

“ Just then the storm burst — a great hail- 
storm — and the wind blew a gale. Down 
rattled the hail faster and faster, until in 
every corner there were great piles. Lit- 
tle Willie, running to his mamma, his eyes 
full of fear, gasped out, 

“ ‘ Oh, mamma, I asked God to give me 
some ice, and now I’m afraid because he 
has given me so much.’ ” 


THE HAILSTORM. 


47 


That is a very nice story,” said Fannie ; 
and Mabel asked, 

‘‘ Do you know anything more about 
Willie?” 

‘‘ Yes. Another day when he wanted ice 
very much he said, 

‘‘ ‘ I think I will ask God to send me 
ice again, but this time I will say, Please 
only send me a little.” ’ ” 

“ But, auntie, does the ice we have down 
in the plains come from America too?” 
questioned Mabel. 

No, my child ; that is made by ma- 
chinery. You cannot yet understand how, 
but the brick house at the corner, not far 
from our own house in the plains, is one 
place where ice is made. In some places 
in the North of India ice is produced in 
still another way. Men whose business it 
is strew the ground with straw, and then 
place close together upon this straw little 
clay vessels which are shaped like saucers. 
The water-carrier then comes, and from 


48 


MABEL’S SUMMER. 


the leather sack he carries fills all these 
little dishes with water. Very early in 
the morning the ice-gatherers come — men, 
women and children — each furnished with 
an instrument like a trowel and with a bas- 
ket. With the trowels the thin flakes of ice 
are loosened from the edges of the saucers 
and thrown into the baskets. When all the 
ice has in this way been gathered, it is emp- 
tied into large baskets and taken immedi- 
ately to the ice-pit and through a wide 
funnel poured into the pit. Then men 
wrap their feet in warm cloths, and, going 
into the pit, tread down the ice into a solid 
mass. We do not put this ice into our 
glasses, for it is not very clean, but bot- 
tles filled with water are put into the ice- 
chest with the ice, and the water soon be- 
comes cool.” 

Thank you, auntie, for telling us all 
this. And now we will go and play, 
for the sun is shining.” 


CHAPTER V. 

CHURCH-GOING IN THE MOUNTAINS. 

‘HTIO-MORROW will be the Sabbath, 
Mabel. Uncle and auntie intend 
going to church ; do you think you will 
get very tired if we take you?” 

‘‘Oh no, auntie; I go to church at 
home.” 

“I know, but there is the long ride 
here, and I thought perhaps that would 
tire you.” 

“ The ride ! Why, that will be the best 
of all, because, you know, I cannot under- 
stand all the minister says.” 

“Then tell the ayah to lay out your 
clothes for to-morrow.” 

Sabbath morning was bright and pleasant. 
When Mabel was dressed for church, she 
said. 


4 


49 


50 


M ABELLS SUMMER. 


‘‘ Now I will sit on the veranda with the 
ayah and sing a hymn for her; I did one 
day, and she liked it very much. And, 
auntie, I am teaching her a little prayer; 
she did not like to say it at first, but now 
she does not mind. She does not know 
anything about Jesus, and I want to teach 
her.’’ 

When Mrs. Howard was ready for church, 
the coolies whose work it was brought out two 
curious-looking conveyances called dandies.” 
A dandy” has a canoe-shaped frame with 
long pointed ends. Inside of this frame a seat 
is swung, with a rest for the back, and also 
one for the feet. There was a large one for 
Mrs. Howard, and a smaller one for Mabel. 
Rugs were thrown over them. Mabel took 
her place in the small one, and Mrs. Howard 
tucked her in nicely ; then two men picked 
up the dandy, rested the ends on their 
shoulders, and walked off briskly with the 
light weight, and Mrs. Howard immediate- 
ly followed. 


CHURCH-GOING IN THE MOUNTAINS. 51 


From many of the paths along the sides 
of the mountains dandies and jhampans 
were moving slowly. Some of the men 
who carried them were very shabbily and 
scantily clothed, while others, who were 
the servants of wealthy people, were 
dressed in warm suits gayly trimmed. 
Men and women went by on horseback, 
and a few were walking, but nowhere was 
seen a carriage, for over the steep, narrow 
and winding mountain-paths no wheeled 
vehicle could pass. 

Mabel was interested in the children she 
saw, some riding alone like herself, others 
with their mammas. Presently she called 
out, 

“ Auntie, do look at that poor man sitting 
by the roadside. He is blind, and he has 
such thin clothes ! And perhaps he is 
hungry. He is begging, auntie ; please 
give me some pice for him.” 

“ I have none with me, my child.” 

‘‘ I’m so sorry ! And that is his little 


62 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


boy, I suppose, fast asleep on that flat stone 
beside him. I expect he leads his poor 
blind father. And oh, auntie, here comes 
a leper just like those we see in the plains. 
How dreadful ! I suppose he has no home 
and no one to be kind to him.” 

The road to church led through a bazar. 
The first shops were all grain-shops, and, 
though it was the Sabbath, people were 
buying and selling as usual. There were 
tin-shops and cloth-shops ; shops where 
dandies and jhampans were exposed for 
hire; shops where “Europe goods” were 
for sale ; wonderful variety -shops, and 
numerous shops where beautiful goods 
from Cashmere could be obtained. In 
these shops there were warm, soft cloths, 
embroidered dressing-gowns, caps and scarfs, 
and the exquisite shawls of Cashmere, some 
richly embroidered, as they can be only in 
that wonderful country, others soft and 
white. The shops were all small with 
verandas in front, in which the merchants 


CHURCH-GOING IN THE MOUNTAINS. 53 


exhibited their wares. The Cashmere mer- 
chants carry their goods in parcels from 
house to house during the week, but, as 
Europeans do not usually purchase on the 
Sabbath, on that day they sit in their shops 
in the midst of their merchandise, but they 
are not idle. They spend the time in knit- 
ting or in sewing, and thus they were en- 
gaged when our friends passed. 

In the veranda of one shop five men were 
engaged in churning in a manner peculiar 
to India. Before each man was ajar con- 
taining the milk to be churned. The 
wooden dash was kept in an upright posi- 
tion by being passed through a hole in a 
bit of wood projecting from the wall or 
made fast to a beam or post. A leather 
strap was passed around the dash two or 
three times, and by working this strap 
the dash was kept in motion. The men 
were working very hard and making a 
great noise as they twirled the five dashes. 

Poor men ! They don’t know anything 


54 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


about the Sabbath. Do they, auntie 
questioned Mabel. 

‘‘No; they are heathen and have never 
learned what the Bible teaches.’’ 

Just after the bazar was passed Mabel 
pointed out a man sitting on the ground 
close to the roadside mending shoes. He 
was protected from the sun by a large bam- 
boo umbrella with a long handle fastened 
in the ground. This was his shop, and 
the passers-by occasionally gave him little 
jobs of work. Near him was a barber 
sitting on the ground with his customer 
seated opposite him. 

The church was pleasantly situated on a 
spur of the mountain. On the surrounding 
hills, wherever there was a bit of level 
ground, pretty cottages were nestled. You 
looked down, too, upon other cottages, and 
pleasant paths wound in and out on the 
sides of the mountains. At the church 
there were many dandies and jhampans 
and horses, and the bearers and grooms 


CHURCH-GOING IN THE MOUNTAINS. 55 


were squatting upon the ground chatting 
together or smoking the hookah, or Indian 
pipe. 

Soon the service began ; and when the 
text was announced, Mabel whispered, 

“What a short text, auntie! Shall we 
go home soon?’’ 

A communion service followed the ser- 
mon, and Mabel sat quite still through it 
all. Coming out of the church, she en- 
joyed the excitement among the bearers, 
each set of men trying to get first to the 
front, in order to be quickly off. The 
horses, too, were restless, and impatient to 
be gone. 

On the way home Mabel suddenly called 
out, 

“Auntie, do you see? There are some 
English people stopping at the shops to 
buy things — fruit and toys. Is it not 
wrong? No wonder the poor heathens 
don’t learn better, when they see Christian 
people do such things. And I think some 


56 


M ABELLS SUMMER. 


of those very people have been to church, 
too.” 

A few minutes after, Mabel said, 

“ Auntie, I understand all about the 
Lord’s Supper. The bread is to make us 
think of Christ’s body; and the wine, of 
his blood.” 

And do you know why Christians take 
the Lord’s Supper?” 

“ Of course I do : papa and mamma have 
told me, and we read about it in the Bible. 
Christ told those who loved him to do it 
that they might remember how he died on 
the cross to save them. I did not take any, 
though I sat close beside you ; for little chil- 
dren like me never do,” she added, with a 
sigh. 


CHAPTER yi. 

STBA WBEBBIES. 

“OTHAWBEHRIES, auntie! strawberries! 

^ Please buy some/’ pleaded Mabel, rush- 
ing into the house one morning quite out of 
breath. 

Mrs. Howard took Mabel’s hand and fol- 
lowed her to the veranda. 

“Where is the man who has berries?” 
she asked. “I see no one.” 

“ Coming up the hill, auntie. There ! he 
has just turned the corner. Fannie and I 
were playing down there, gathering stones, 
and I saw him and asked him to come. 
You will buy some, will you not, auntie? 
They are just beautiful !” 

“Yes, my child; I shall be very glad to 
get some.” 

Soon the man reached the house. Let- 


57 


58 


M ABELLS SUMMER. 


ting down the broad, shallow basket from 
his head, he lifted the green leaves with 
which they were covered and revealed a 
quantity of large luscious berries. Such 
a sight Mrs. Howard had not seen in years 
— not since she left her own pleasant home 
on the other side of the world. It carried 
her back in memory to a fair garden in 
which she had played in her childhood, 
and where she had plucked ripe, delicious 
berries and carried them to her mamma, 
who was ill, and to her kind papa. But 
that was long, long ago. Strangers called 
that garden theirs now, and the loving 
parents had both gone home to Jesus. 

Mrs. Howard thought of all this as she 
lifted in her fingers a cluster of the luscious 
berries, but Mabel, growing impatient, said 
in a disappointed tone, 

‘‘And so you will not buy any berries, 
after all?’’ 

“Yes, yes, my child! Bring a basket 
for me from the dining-room.” 


STEAWBEEBIES, 


59 


The basket was quickly brought, the ber- 
ries were weighed, the price was given, and 
the man was told to come again. 

Mrs. Howard carried the basket to the 
dining-room, and, placing it on the table, 
took from a sideboard some dishes and 
began to prepare the berries for the 
table. 

“ Must I wait until luncheon before I can 
have any asked Mabel. 

No ; bring a saucer, and I will help you 
now.’’ Mrs. Howard put a liberal supply 
of berries upon the dish which the little 
girl brought her. 

Thank you, auntie ! May I eat them 
out on the veranda, and may I share them 
with Fannie?” 

‘‘ Certainly you may ; and when your 
plate is emptied, you may come for more. 
They will not hurt you.” 

What a treat the delicious berries were 
to all ! for in the hot plains of India no 
such luxury can be enjoyed, so as long as 


60 


MABEUS SUMMER. 


berries were in the market they were used 
without stint. 

One morning Mabel came to auntie with 
a distressed face. 

“ Oh, auntie, it’s too bad !” she said. 
‘‘The man who brings berries has come, 
but his strawberries are all spoiled. A 
naughty little girl just now picked up a 
handful of fine gravel ; and when the 
man lifted the leaves to show us his ber- 
ries, she threw the gravel as hard as she 
could into the basket, and the sharp little 
stones sunk into the great luscious berries 
and they are all spoiled. The man feels 
so badly, for he cannot sell them now ; so 
he will get no money to-day. Was it not 
very naughty ?” 

“Yes, indeed, very naughty. The little 
girl has destroyed the poor man’s property 
and made him very unhappy, and I am sure 
must be very unhappy herself. I hope you 
will never do such a thing.” 

“ Of course I would not, auntie. I asked 


STRAWBERRIES. 


61 


her if she was not ashamed, and she said 
she would not be punished, for the man 
would be afraid to tell her mamma.” 

When the strawberry season was at an 
end, the harvest of raspberries followed — 
first the golden ones with a flavor like 
honey, then the black ones, more deli- 
cious still. The strawberries had been 
grown in gardens in the beautiful fruitful 
valleys at the foot of the hills, but the 
raspberries grew wild on the mountains, 
and every day, in their season, they were 
brought for sale by boys or men — wild- 
looking men with matted hair and soiled 
and scanty clothing, but the berries they 
brought were fresh and sweet. Even the 
boys were, many of them, very shrewd in 
making a bargain. Industrious little fel- 
lows they were, walking long distances over 
the mountains in the cold, dewy mornings, 
bravely bearing the cold and the wet and 
never minding the wounds from the briers, 
then trudging cheerfully up and down the 


62 


MABEL'S SUMMER. 


hills from house to house to find pur- 
chasers. 

One such little boy one day brought to 
the cottage with his basket of berries a 
beautiful white lily. He had brought the 
plant entire, the roots with a quantity of 
earth about them and carefully protected. 

“ Oh how beautiful !” exclaimed Mrs. 
Howard. 

Mr. Howard came out at the sound of his 
wife’s voice, and he too exclaimed. 

What a beauty !” 

The leaves were pure white and glistened 
like snow; they were thick like wax, and 
the fiower was very large. 

I found the plant growing very far from 
here, and I dug it up and brought it for 
sale,” said the little boy. 

“We must have it,” said Mr. Howard, 
examining the plant. “ There are several 
buds here; and if it is put in the shade 
and kept moist, I think all these buds 
will open ” 


STRA WBERRIES. 


63 


The boy’s eyes shone as the price was 
counted out to him ; and when, in addition, 
he sold his basket of berries, he was happy 
indeed. The beautiful lily was planted on 
the side of the mountain, quite near the 
veranda, in the shade, and not only Mabel 
and Fanny, but Mr. and Mrs. Howard, 
watched with delight the unfolding of the 
buds. 

‘‘I wish papa and mamma and Frankie 
could enjoy some of these nice berries,” 
Mabel said one day. 

“ Yes, indeed ! I wish all our friends in 
the hot and thirsty plains could enjoy the 
good things so abundant here,” answered 
Mrs. Howard. 

‘‘What shall we have when the berries 
are gone?” 

“ Peaches and apricots, and plums and 
pears.” 

“ I know something that is ripe now be- 
sides berries, but it’s a secret,” said Mabel. 

“ From auntie?” 


64 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


“No, from Fannie. There is a sweet- 
brier bush growing on Fannie’s side of the 
house, and to-day, when we were playing 
there, I saw tw^o or three buds just ready 
to burst. I think they will be open by to- 
morrow morning. That is what I meant by 
ripe, I did not say a word to Fannie, but 
we went somewhere else to play ; for I was 
afraid she would see them. I want to pick 
the very first blossoms myself.” 

“But is not that selfish, ]\Iabel? The 
bush is on Fannie’s side, and has she not a 
better right to the flowers than you have ?” 

“ But, auntie, it is not really hers ; and, 
besides, I intend to give Fannie half the 
flowers.” 

The next morning Mabel was awake very 
early, and anxious to be dressed in haste. 

“Is Fannie up? Have you seen her, 
auntie?” she asked. 

“ No ; it is all very quiet on Fannie’s side, 
and I think she and Katie are both sleeping 
still.” 


STRAWBERRIES. 65 

I’m SO glad ! and I do wish the ayah 
would put on my clothes quickly.” 

Stealing noiselessly out of the house when 
she was dressed, Mabel ran to the sweet- 
brier, and returned a moment after, her 
hands laden with the sweet-scented blos- 
soms. 

See, auntie ! See what I have found !” 
she exclaimed, holding up the pretty pink 
flowers. ‘‘I will sit on the veranda and 
divide the flowers, and then may I go and 
give Fannie half? Her mamma is up, so 
I shall not disturb her.” 

‘‘Yes, Mabel, you may go. But who 
made these lovely flowers?” 

“ God, auntie.” 

“And did my little girl remember to 
thank God for caring for her through the 
night, and for giving her so many pleasant 
things to enjoy?” 

“ No, auntie ; I was in such a hurry that 
I quite forgot it. But I will go and do it 
now.” 

5 


66 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


Soon Mabel came from the dressing-room 
and, gathering up the flowers, hurried off 
to Fannie’s room. 

When Mrs. Howard entered the break- 
fast -room, she was followed closely by 
Mabel. Going to the table, she saw by 
her own plate, in a glass, some of the sweet 
roses Mabel had gathered. 

I put them there for you,” said the lit- 
tle girl, eagerly. I gave Fannie half, and 
all the rest are in that glass. Now I’m not 
selfish, am I, auntie?” 

‘‘ Not in giving^ Mabel ; but did you not 
enjoy the gathering of the flowers more 
than you enjoyed the flowers themselves?” 

Mabel understood, and after a moment 
she said, 

I will make this bargain with Fannie : 
if she gets up first, she shall gather the 
roses, and I shall pick them if I am first 
up and away she ran to tell Fannie her 
plan. 

That little maiden approved, and every 


STRAWliERRIES. 


67 


morning after there was a good-natured 
strife to see who should be first at the rose- 
bush. For several mornings Mabel was 
victor, but one morning it happened that 
she slept long and late, while Fannie’s 
eyes were open with the dawn, and with 
shining face she came in wdtli hands richly 
laden. Her end accomplished, she wan- 
dered restlessly about, longing to show her 
treasures to Mabel ; but the little girl slept 
on, and Mrs. Howard asked Fannie not to 
waken her. 

At last Mabel opened her eyes with a 
start. 

I have had such a nice sleep, auntie,” 
she said, pleasantly, and I’m rested.” 
Then, suddenly remembering, she asked, 
“Is it late? and is Fannie up?” 

“ It is eight o’clock, and Fannie is up. 
Make haste and be dressed, for Fannie has 
something to show you.” 

“ I know : it’s the roses,” she said, in a 
grieved tone. 


68 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


Mabel was a long time dressing; and 
when she came out of her room, she walked 
very slowly toward the veranda. When 
Fannie sprang to meet her, holding in her 
apron the pink blossoms and exclaiming 
gleefully, “I picked them first this morn- 
ing, and see how many there are !” Mabel 
took no notice of either Fannie or her flow- 
ers. Sitting down on the steps of the veran- 
da, Mabel began picking up the pebbles 
within reach, and then tossed them about 
in an aimless way. 

Fannie looked at her, greatly puzzled, 
and, at length venturing a little nearer, 
said timidly, 

“ Shall not we divide the roses now ?” 

Mabel made no answer ; and when Fan- 
nie leaned over and put some of the blos- 
soms in Mabel’s lap, the cross little girl 
looked at her with angry eyes, and then 
struck her a spiteful blow. 

Just at this moment Mrs. Howard ap- 
peared on the veranda. 


STRAWBERRIES. 


69 


Why, Mabel ! I’m surprised !” she ex- 
claimed. 

I don’t care,” was the sullen answer. 

Mrs. Howard stooped down, and, taking 
the angry little girl in her arms, carried 
her to her room and laid her on her own 
bed. 

You must stay there,” she said, until 
you are pleasant.” 

Mabel burst into a passionate little cry. 
Mrs. Howard looked at her sadly, and 
said, 

I am very sorry that my little girl is 
in so naughty and unhappy a humor this 
morning.” 

‘‘ I’m not your little girl at all ; I’m 
mamma’s,” came from Mabel, with a 
shower of tears. 

‘‘ Yes, you are mamma’s very own little 
girl, but mamma lent you to me this sum- 
mer, and I am sure she would be very much 
grieved to know that her dear little girl has 
been so unkind.” 


70 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


Mrs. Howard then went out and left 
Mabel alone. 

Out on the veranda sat Fannie, almost as 
miserable as Mabel. The two little girls 
were very fond of each other, and usually 
played together most amicably. Now Fan- 
nie was uneasy and lonely. Her little 
triumph of the morning had been quite 
spoiled by MabeFs ill-humor, and now her 
roses were withering on the veranda. Her 
sister Katie came and sat down beside her 
— pretty, rosy-cheeked Katie — and in her 
sweet baby-way tried to talk to her, but 
Fannie was not interested. At length her 
face brightened, and, running down the 
hill below the cottage, she followed a wind- 
ing path until she came to a low bush cov- 
ered with a morning-glory in full bloom. 
Gathering a handful of the fresh blossoms, 
she hurried to the house : 

Auntie, may I go to MabeFs room, 
please, and give her these?” 

Mrs. Howard was touched by this ex- 


STRAWBERRIES. 


71 


pression of Fannie’s forgiving spirit, and 
she gladly gave the desired permission. 

When Mrs. Howard, not long after, went 
into the room where she had left Mabel, she 
was delighted to find the two little girls 
apparently on the best of terms. Fannie 
was kneeling by the bed, and Mabel was 
twirling in her fingers the spray of morn- 
ing-glories. 

Please, auntie, may I get up now ? I’m 
pleasant,” she said. 

Later in the day, when Mabel referred 
to her conduct of the morning, she said, 

“ Satan was in my heart. I felt so cross 
because I had slept so long, and because 
Fannie had gathered the roses first, that 
I would not say my prayers. I knew 
Satan was in my heart, but I did not try 
to get him out. Jesus knocks at the 
door of our hearts, but Satan comes in 
without asking.” 


CHAPTER VII. 

THE SUBPBISE. 

A S the summer heat increased — for in 
India the sun is very powerful even 
in the mountains — flowers burst into bloom 
on every hand, beautiful delicate blossoms 
as well as large bright flowers. The hill- 
sides for several weeks were bright with 
the bloom of the wild rose, great bushes 
with long trailing branches freighted with 
blossoms to the very end, some a mass of 
white, others a delicate pink, or both grow- 
ing together; and with every breeze they 
sent out a shower of fragrance. How the 
children delighted in the blossoms ! and in 
the delicious air how happy even the brute 
creatures seemed ! The birds warbled forth 
their gladness, goats clambered from rock 
to rock, and even the gentle cows climbed 

72 


THE SURPRISE. 


73 


far up the heights, cropping the tender 
grass, the tinkle of the bells worn by the 
mother-cows calling the frisking calves to 
follow. 

“ Auntie, may I go with Fannie to gather 
flowers Mabel asked, one morning. “ Dal- 
tu will go with us, and the ayah.” 

“ You may go, but keep near the ayah, 
and come back before the sun gets hot. 
After breakfast I have something to show 
you.” 

‘‘ And Fannie too ?” 

“ Yes, but you must ask no more questions, 
for it is a secret.” 

‘‘ Wedl not stay long, and we shall bring 
back loads of flowers. Daltu is not afraid 
to climb anywhere; he can get the flowers 
that are high up, and Fannie and I can 
get the wee ones.” 

The children were back in good time; 
they came laden with ferns and moss, and 
with roses on their cheeks as well as in 
their hands. 


74 


MABEL'S SUMMER. 


‘‘We have had such fun! and now we 
will divide the flowers, and after breakfast 
the secret, auntie,” said Mabel, dropping 
in a little heap on the veranda beside her 
floral treasures. 

“Yes, after breakfast, but not now, 
Mabel.” 

“ But can’t I guess, auntie?” 

“ I do not think you can, and I must not 
help you.” 

When breakfast was over, Mabel crept 
close to Mrs. Howard’s side and whis- 
pered, 

“ Will uncle read a long chapter this 
morning at worship?” 

“You must not be impatient, but sit 
quietly and listen,” said Mrs. Howard, 
patting her cheek. 

“Shall I call Fannie now?” questioned 
Mabel as soon as she had risen from her 
knees. 

“Not yet: I wish to go first to my 
room ; and when I call you, you may come 


THE SURPRISE. 


75 


to me, and afterward I will send you for 
Fannie.” 

When Mrs. Howard opened the door of 
her room, a moment afterward, and called 
“ Mabel !” the little girl answered with a 
hound. 

“ Now, what is it auntie ?” she asked. 

Mrs. Howard stepped aside, and Mabel 
saw lying on the table two large and beau- 
tiful wax dolls, both nicely dressed, with 
gowns and undergarments that would but- 
ton and unbutton. One was in white with 
blue sash, and blue ribbons looping up her 
dainty sleeves, and a blue bow in her flaxen 
curls. The other was in pink, with white 
sash and bows. 

Oh how pretty !” exclaimed Mabel. 
‘‘ Where did you get them ? Are they for 
Fannie and me? Which one is mine?” 

Not so many questions at once, my little 
girl,” said Mrs. Howard, smiling. ‘‘The 
dolls came from America, and I brought 
them here in my large box for you and 


76 


M ABELLS SUMMER. 


Fannie, and, as you are older than Fan- 
nie, you may take your choice.” 

“And may I take the very one I like 
best?” 

“ Yes, my child.” 

Mabel lifted them very tenderly : 

“ Both have golden hair like me, and I 
like the blue ribbons very much ; mamma 
says blue suits me. But the pink doll is 
larger than this,” she said, measuring 
them. 

“Are the eyes of both alike?” asked 
Mrs. Howard. 

“ Why, yes, auntie ; both have blue 
eyes,” said Mabel, examining them closely. 
“ I really don’t know which to choose,” lay- 
ing them again upon the table. But as she 
looked she saw that the eyes of one of the 
dolls were closed. Taking this one into 
her arms again, she exclaimed eagerly, “ I 
see now: the eyes of the doll in blue will 
open and shut. I like that, and I will 
take this dolly, even if it is not quite so 


THE SURPRISE. 


77 


large as the pink one. Thank you so 
much, auntie ! And now shall I call Fan- 
nie ? and I think, auntie, I will not tell her 
that my dolly can open and shut its eyes, 
for perhaps she may not like her own so 
well.’’ 

Fannie was at hand as soon as called, for 
Mabel had whispered to her that after break- 
fast there was to be a surprise in which she 
had an interest. When Mrs. Howard put 
into her arms the beautiful doll, she ex- 
pressed her satisfaction by a little scream 
of delight. How happy the two girls 
were in their new treasures ! 

‘‘ Now, Mabel,” said Mrs. Howard as that 
little maiden was putting aside her doll for 
the night, ‘‘ I think you would like to keep 
Blue-Eyes until you go home, to show her 
to Frankie. The lower drawer in this 
dressing -bureau you may use for dolly. 
I think it would be nice to play with her 
every day after you have had your bath, 
when your clothes are clean ; and when you 


78 


MABEL'S SUMMER. 


are tired of lier, put her always in this 
drawer.” 

I like that plan very much, and I am 
sure I shall keep my doll longer than 
Fannie.” 

‘‘You are older than Fannie, and know 
better how to be careful. Shall I tell you 
a true story of two little girls about as old 
as you and Fannie who once owned two 
beautiful dolls?” 

“ If you please, auntie. You know I am 
very fond of stories.” 

“ These two little girls were sisters, and 
their names were Jennie and Hattie.” 

“Did you know them, auntie?” 

“Very well, and I loved them dearly, 
for they were most affectionate, unselfish 
and obedient. Their mamma gave them 
at one time two large dolls very prettily 
dressed and so much alike that it was dif- 
ficult to tell which belonged to Jennie and 
which to Hattie. 

“ ‘ Play with the dolls in the house,’ their 


THE SURPRISE. 


79 


mamma said. ‘ Do not take them on the 
pavement ; for if they should slip from 
your hands, they would be broken.’ 

‘‘The little girls promised obedience, but 
one day they asked their mamma if they 
could carry their dollies out under the 
trees by the swing. Mamma said, 

“ ‘ Would it not be better to play here 
first, then put your children in bed, and 
after that go out in the yard?’ 

“ ‘ But we will be very careful, mamma,’ 
they pleaded, ‘and not trip on the pave- 
ment.’ 

“ ‘ And we will make this bargain,’ added 
Jennie : ‘ if I am playing with Hattie’s 
doll and break it, then she shall have 
mine.’ 

“ ‘ And if I break Jennie’s,’ chimed in 
Hattie, ‘then I will give her my precious 
doll.’ 

“So it was arranged. For a little time 
the children played together very happily ; 
then mamma heard a piercing scream and 


80 


MABEL’S SUMMER. 


rushed to the door, fearing that one of her 
dear children was badly hurt. As she 
opened the door Jennie darted past her 
with empty hands, crying as if her heart 
would break. Rushing into her mamma’s 
room, she closed the door. Hattie came 
up just then with a doll in her arms, but 
looking greatly distressed. 

<< < What is the matter V asked mamma. 

“ ‘ You know the bargain we made when 
we went out? Well, we were playing to- 
gether, having such a nice time, when, as 
Jennie was carrying my doll across the 
yard to fasten it in the swing, she fell down, 
and the head of the doll was quite crushed. 
She was so sorry when she saw what she 
had done, and she came and put her doll 
in my arms, because that was the agree- 
ment, you know. But I cannot keep Jen- 
nie’s doll, mamma. What shall I do ?’ she 
asked, with tears in her blue eyes. 

'‘‘We will go and find Jennie,’ mamma 
said, taking Hattie’s hand.” 


THE SURPRISE. 


81 


Oil, auntie, what was the end of 
it?” Mabel asked, a little tremble in her 
voice. 

A very pleasant ending, Mabel. Jen- 
nie’s grandpapa was visiting at the house, 
and that very day he brought home from 
town a doll so like the one that had been 
broken that even Hattie could see no dif- 
ference.” 

“ I suppose the little girls did not tease 
their mamma to let them take their dol- 
lies out under the trees any more. And, 

auntie, this story has taught me a lesson.” 

6 


CHAPTER VIII. 

THE COMING OF THE PONY. 

auntie, the pony has come — uncle’s 
^ pony,” Mabel said, one day, running 
into the house. 

“Has it?” answered Mrs. Howard. 
“Then I must go and tell uncle.” 

“ Uncle knows it, and has gone down the 
path to meet the pony. Only think ! he 
has walked all the way. How tired he 
must be!” 

“ I believe he is tired, but you know he 
walked only a few miles each day, and 
rested at night.” 

“ Don’t you hear him, auntie ? I expect 
he is almost up the hill by this time. Do 
come to the veranda and see him ;” and 

away they went to welcome the pony, who 
82 


THE COMING OF THE PONY. 


83 


came up the steep hill frisking his tail, 
shaking his head, and saying, ‘‘ How do 
you do ?” just as plainly as a pony could 
say it. 

‘‘ He does not seem tired after his long 
journey,” said Mrs. Howard; “the man 
must have taken good care of him.” 

“ I am glad he has come, for now uncle 
can ride, and that will help him to grow 
strong. I’m not one bit afraid, auntie, for 
the pony is very gentle ; may the man put 
me on his back now?” 

“ Not to-day, dear, but another day, when 
uncle is riding, I think he will take you 
with him.” 

Not many days after, Mr. Howard said 
one morning, 

“I am going to call on Mr. and Mrs. 
Canning, and I will take you, Mabel, if 
auntie is willing and you are not afraid.” 

“ I am not afraid. — Auntie, please, may I 
go ? I should like the ride very much, and 
I can see Minnie Canning.” 


84 


MABEL’S SUMMER. 


‘‘Yes, you may go. Ask the ayah to 
smooth your hair and give you a clean 
pinafore and your sun-hat.’’ 

Then the pony was brought to the door. 
Mr. Howard took his seat in the saddle, 
Mabel was lifted up and put into his arms, 
and away they went up the mountain. The 
pony had come from a country far away 
over the mountains, so Mrs. Howard was 
not afraid he would stumble, though the 
path was narrow, winding and very 
steep. 

Mrs. Howard watched them until they 
were out of sight, and then went into the 
house and wrote a letter to Mabel’s mamma, 
telling her that her little girl was well and 
happy. She had just finished, when her 
husband and Mabel returned. 

“ It was so nice, auntie — the ride and all ! 
Minnie and I played together while Mr. and 
Mrs. Canning and uncle talked.” 

“But what have you in your hand, 
Mabel?” 


THE COMING OF THE PONY. 


85 


‘‘ Mangoes, auntie ; Mrs. Canning tied 
them in this napkin and gave them to 
uncle to bring home. They came from 
the plains, auntie, and from Mrs. Canning’s 
own garden ; she told uncle so. May I eat 
one now, please?” 

‘‘Would you not like to wait until 
luncheon, Mabel?” 

“ Please let me have one now,” the little 
girl pleaded; and Mrs. Howard, knowing 
that Mabel was very fond of mangoes and 
thinking that one would not hurt her, put 
a plate for her on the table in the dining- 
room, tied a napkin around her neck and 
gave her a fine ripe mango. 

Mabel ate this, and then said, 

“Please, auntie, may I have another? I 
am not afraid it will make me ill, for I eat 
more than two at home.” 

“Well, you may eat one more.” 

Mabel had just finished the second mango, 
when Mr. Howard came in. 

“What! Mabel eating more mangoes?” 


86 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


he said. ‘‘ I am afraid she will be ill, for 
she ate two at Mrs. Canning’s.’’ 

She did not tell me that,” Mrs. Howard 
answered, “ or I should have given her no 
more until luncheon.” Then, turning to 
Mabel, she said, ‘‘I am afraid my little 
girl has been selfish to-day.” 

Mabel hung her head and slipped from 
the table and out of the room. There were 
only four mangoes left, and she did feel 
ashamed, though she did not like to say so. 
She went out of the house and played with 
Fannie under the trees. Coming into the 
house when she was tired of play, she found 
Mrs. Howard sewing. 

‘‘What are you doing, auntie?” she 
asked. 

“Mending your pinafore, Mabel. Some 
of the buttons are gone, and I have none 
like them ; bring me the little box of but- 
tons mamma gave you, please, and perhaps 
I may there find some like these.” 

Mabel did not move, and Mrs. Howard 


THE COMING OF THE PONY. 


87 


thought she had not heard ; so she repeated 
her request. 

“ The buttons are mine/’ Mabel said now, 
in a resolute tone. “ Mamma gave them 
to me to use for myself, and I want them 
for my doll’s clothes.” 

“ I am sure mamma would like her little 
girl to give auntie some of her buttons if 
they were needed,” said Mrs. Howard. 

Still, Mabel did not stir ; so Mrs. Howard 
folded the apron and put it into the sewing- 
basket, saying as she did so, 

“ I cannot finish this to-day.” 

She then went to talk a while with Mrs. 
Linton. When she came back, she met 
Mabel with a pair of scissors in her 
hand. 

“You have my scissors,” she said to 
Mabel. 

“But, auntie, I am only going to cut 
paper with them, and you always let me 
do that.” 

“They are mine/^ answered Mrs. How- 


88 


MABEL'S SUMMER. 


ard, looking straight into the little girl’s 
eyes. 

Mabel understood now, for she blushed 
and hung her head. 

That same day, in the afternoon, Mabel 
said to Fannie, 

“Let’s play that I am a lady keeping 
house and you are my ayah. I will get 
auntie’s little shawl to throw over your 
head, so that you will look like an 
ayah.” 

She was taking it out, when Mrs. How- 
ard said, 

“Bring the shawl to me, Mabel: it’s 

miner 

“ But please let me take it a little while, 
just to play with. I will be careful.” 

“ Uncle got it for me, and it’s mme,” was 
the strange answer. 

Mabel was very much ashamed by this 
time, but she was not ready to say so. She 
did not forget the lesson, however, for in the 
evening, before she went out for her walk. 



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I 


THE COMING OF THE PONY. 


89 


she came to Mrs. Howard, her face covered 
with blushes, and, slipping the box of but- 
tons into her hand, said, 

“ Take as many as you like, auntie, and 
my thread and needles too if you want, 
them.” Then she added timidly, “ Tm 
not selfish now, am I, auntie?” 

Auntie kissed the little upturned face and 
told Mabel that she must ask Jesus to help 
her to be kind and unselfish. 

Mabel had a pleasant walk, and came 
back in fine spirits. That night she 
kneeled, as usual, by Mrs. Howard’s side 
to say her evening prayer. When she 
rose from her knees, she shook back the 
curls from her face, and, throwing her 
arms around Mrs. Howard’s neck, said, 

‘‘ Now I’m going to give you heaps of 
kisses. Are you not glad you brought 
me? or you could not have had so many 
kisses.” 

Some time after Mabel had been tucked 
into her little bed Mrs. Howard passed 


90 


MABEL’S SUMMER. 


through the room, taking with her, when 
she went out, the lamp that was burning 
there. 

‘‘Oh, auntie, please don’t take away the 
lamp: I’m afraid,” pleaded Mabel. 

Sitting down by the bed, Mrs. Howard 
talked to Mabel about the kind heavenly 
Father who always watches over us, in the 
dark as well as in the light. She left the 
lamp in the room, however, and went out. 
She was sitting in the little parlor adjoin- 
ing the room in which Mabel was lying, 
reading aloud to her husband, when Mabel 
called out cheerfully, 

“You may take away the lamp now; 
I’m not afraid of the dark.” 

When Mrs. Howard went into the room, 
Mabel drew her face down to hers, and, 
kissing it, said, 

“ I have asked Jesus to forgive me for 
being naughty and selfish to-day, and to 
help me to be good; and I’m not afraid 


now. 


CHAPTER IX. 


THE PROMISED PLEASURE.— THE DANCING 
BEARS. 

ISABEL came to Mrs. Howard one day, 
and, leaning her head on that lady’s 
shoulder, said, 

‘‘When will my birthday come, auntie?” 

“ This is June, Mabel, and your birthday 
does not come until August.” 

“That is a very long time. Why did 
you not keep the beautiful doll for my 
birthday present?” 

“Because I wanted you to enjoy it all 
summer, Mabel.” 

“ And shall I have nothing on my birth- 
day?” 

“ I am sure you will not be forgotten on 
that day, my child.” 

“I know; you said I could have a little 

91 


92 


MABEL^S SUMMER, 


party then. But what a long time to wait ! 
Almost two whole months.’’ 

‘‘ It is a long time for a little girl to wait, 
and so I think you may have a little party 
next week.” 

“ A real party, auntie, with more than 
Fannie and Katie and me?” 

‘‘ Yes. I think we will say Saturday of 
next week; then some of the little girls 
from the school can come. Whom would 
you like to invite?” 

“Why, Fannie and Katie, of course. 
Then, Edwin Andrews would like to come, 
I’m sure, if he is a boy, for he likes to play 
with Fannie and me. Then I must ask 
Dora, and Edith and Minnie Canning ; 
and Emma Waters will come, I think, for 
she and Dora Canning are friends at school : 
Minnie told me so. And of course I must^ 
ask my friend Emily Foster. And, auntie, 
I should like to ask that new little girl at 
the school ; ‘ Polly ’ is her name. She is a 
funny little thing, and wears such queer 


THE PROMISED PLEASURE. 


93 


clothes ! The girls laughed at her at first, 
but Mrs. Swan told them it was not kind. 
And, auntie, only think ! she hardly knows 
anything about God, for her mamma died 
when she was a wee baby, and her papa 
had so much to do that he could not teach 
her, so he brought her to school. Then 
there is dear little Lottie Walters : I am 
sure you will let me ask her ; and I should 
like to have Ida Niles. You know her 
little sister is dead, and she feels so lonely ! 
Do you think I can have so many girls, 
auntie 

Yes, I think you may, Mabel.” 

“ And, auntie, what can I do to make the 
days go fast?” 

‘‘ Be good and happy and busy, my dear 
child.” 

‘‘ Has mamma written anything about the 
lessons, auntie?” 

Yes. She says she wishes her little girl 
to grow strong this year, and for that rea- 
son she need not have lessons so regularly 


94 


MABEL'S SUMMER. 


as when she is at home ; but she hopes she 
will still like to read/’ 

Of course I shall, auntie, and I should 
like a spelling-book like Fannie’s. Then 1 
would learn two long columns every day.” 

The very next day, when Fannie was 
called to her lessons, Mrs. Howard called 
Mabel, and, putting a spelling-book into 
her hands, said, 

I found this in the bookcase yesterday ; 
and if you like, you may learn a lesson in 
it to-day.” 

Mabel was pleased, and for two or three 
days quite enjoyed her spelling-lesson ; 
then she grew tired of it. One day, when 
Mrs. Howard called her, she answered, 

‘‘But mamma said I need not have les- 
sons every day.” 

“You asked for a book, Mabel, that 
you might learn a spelling-lesson, like 
Fannie.” 

For a moment Mabel made no answer; 
then she said. 


THE PROMISED PLEASURE. 


95 


You found this book, auntie; you did 
not pay money for it/’ 

‘‘Very well,” said Mrs. Howard. “If 
you do not wish to spell, you may bring 
your Peep of Day and read a chapter to 
me while I sew ; then I will read two 
chapters to you.” 

“ I shall like that very much.” 

“ But my little girl must learn to do 
cheerfully many things she does not like 
to do. Did you ever hear of the Siamese 
twins?” 

“No, auntie ; please tell me about them.” 

“ They were two brothers born at the 
same time, and so joined together that 
they must always be in each other’s com- 
pany. If one wished to walk about, the 
other must go too, because they could not 
be separated. I expect that when they 
were children one often had to yield to 
the other. Perhaps one was tired and 
wanted to rest, and the other was wide 
awake and full of play.” 


96 


MABEL'S SUMMER. 


“ How very funny, auntie ! Is that all ?” 

‘‘All for the present. Bring your book 
now.” 

Mabel walked very slowly to the book- 
case, and as she came back with her book 
in her hand she seemed to be thinking 
very hard. Then she suddenly asked, 

“Were they born that way, auntie, or 
did one grow out afterward?” 

Mrs. Howard smiled as she answered, for 
slie saw the little girl was fearing that some 
time she might have such a companion. 

Mabel read a chapter, and Mrs. Howard 
read one, two, three chapters; and just as 
she was closing the book there came 
through the open door a sound very much 
like a growl. 

“ What is that, auntie ?” Mabel asked, 
turning pale. 

“ I am sure I do not know. We will go 
and see,” said Mrs. Howard, rising and 
stepping out upon the veranda. 

Mrs. Linton and Fannie, followed by 


THE PROMISED PLEASURE. 


97 


little Katie, were coming from their own 
parlor at the same time; for they too had 
heard the curious sound. 

‘‘ Bears, auntie, bears ! Two great black 
bears!’’ exclaimed Mabel. “But I don’t 
think I’m afraid, because the men are 
holding them by chains, and I suppose 
they are tame.” 

“ Let us show you what wonderful things 
our bears can do?” said one of the men. 

Auntie looked at Mrs. Linton, and the 
children, coming close to the two ladies, 
said, “ Please let them ; we want very much 
to see,” so they were allowed to show what 
the bears could do. 

They were told to dance, and, standing 
on their hind legs, the great hairy creat- 
ures danced very well, for bears. Then 
they hugged each other most affectionately, 
putting their shaggy paws around each 
other’s neck. Then each man took a bear 
and tried to throw it upon the ground, 
and the bears growled so fiercely, though 

7 


98 


MABEL'S SUMMER. 


they were only in play, that the children 
screamed with fright, fearing the keep- 
ers would be hurt. When the men had 
received a few pice, the bears made a salaam 
and followed their masters down the hill. 


CHAPTER X. 

THE PARTY. 

ISABEL was up very early on the day 
when she expected her friends, and 
went with Fannie and the ayah to gather 
fresh flowers. 

When the little girls returned with their 
hands full of treasures, Mrs. Howard was in 
the dining-room, busy in the preparation 
of some of the good things designed for 
the children’s tea. 

‘‘May we stay with you,” Mabel asked, 
“ and see what you do ?” 

“Yes, if you will not trouble me; for I 
have many things to do to-day.” 

So the two children were very good, dis- 
turbing nothing, but chatting merrily ; and 
this auntie liked. 


99 


100 


MABELS SUMMEB. 


When Mrs. Howard sent the cakes to the 
kitchen to be baked, she sat down to pre- 
pare the fruit that had that morning been 
brought. 

‘‘Are we to have all this nice fruit for 
our tea?’’ Mabel asked. 

“ Not all, my child, but as much as will 
be good for you.” 

“ What else are we to have ?” 

“I cannot tell you now. I shall give 
you your tea early, so that all the little 
girls can reach home before dark. And 
now you may go and dress your dolls in 
clean clothes, arrange all your books in 
order on the shelf, and put in a box your 
playthings that are scattered about.” 

Mabel had an early dinner, and, imme- 
diately after, the ayah dressed her in a 
pretty blue-merino frock, of which she 
was very fond, and a white pinafore trim- 
med with embroidery. A carpet had been 
spread on the veranda, and Mabel and Fan- 
nie were impatient for the coming of the 


THE PARTY. 


101 


little visitors. At last they began to ar- 
rive. First came Edwin and his ayah — for 
he was quite too small a boy to come alone 
— then Fannie, looking up the hill, thought 
she saw a dark object moving slowly toward 
them. 

“ Mabel, Mrs. Canning’s children are 
coming,” she called — I am sure they 
are, in that jhampan.” 

Nearer and nearer came the dark object ; 
and when it was not far from the house, the 
children ran to meet it. At the sound of 
their merry voices the curtain was lifted, 
and three pairs of bright eyes looked out 
and three happy voices sent back answer- 
ing shouts of delight. 

When the jhampan was set down in the 
yard, close to the cottage, the three children 
leaped out, and Dora, the eldest, going di- 
rectly to Mrs. Howard, politely extended 
her hand and said, 

“ Mamma asks that you will please send 
us children home early, as she is afraid to 


102 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


have US go up the steep mountain - path 
after night.” 

‘‘ Emma is coming now, and Emily too,” 
Mabel called out ; and when the girls from 
the school come, all will be here.” 

Soon they were seen turning the corner 
just below the house, and the whole party 
ran down the hill to meet them. When 
they reached the house, they were con- 
ducted to Mabehs room and shown her toys, 
her books and her beautiful new doll. One 
of the very smallest little girls liked this so 
much that she wanted to keep the treasure 
in her arms all the time, and Mabel, fearing 
it would be broken, came to auntie with her 
trouble. 

‘‘ She will be careful of it, I think,” Mrs. 
Howard said, assuringly, ‘‘for she seems a 
gentle child ; and by and by she will be 
interested in something else, and if you 
like you can then put it away.” 

When the dolls and toys had all been 
sufficiently admired, the children went 


THE PARTY. 


103 


into the yard to play, and amused them- 
selves with games until Mrs. Howard called 
them for tea. The little girls came very 
gladly, but they were not rude. Even 
the very youngest was polite at table, 
and poor lonely Polly, who had had but 
few playmates in her little life, seemed 
very happy ; while Lottie Walters’s bright 
face was full of smiles. Wee Edwin — 
brave little man that he was, though he 
still wore dresses — did not seem at all em- 
barrassed because he was the only gentle- 
man present. Indeed, all the children were 
happy, and all enjoyed the good things Mrs. 
Howard had provided so abundantly for 
them. 

After tea the children had another game 
in the yard. Then Mrs. Howard came out 
and said that it was time for the children to 
go home. She was not tired of them, but 
she knew their mammas would be anxious 
about them if they were kept late. 

Dora and Edith and Minnie Canning 


104 


MABEL’S SUMMER. 


went first; then Emma Waters and Edwin 
and his ayah ; then the little girls from the 
school; and last of all Emily Foster, be- 
cause her home was very near. 

Mabel and Fannie watched the departing 
guests until the last little visitor was out of 
sight; then Fannie and Katie went to their 
mamma, and Mabel came and laid her head 
on Mrs. Howard’s shoulder. 

I think this has been a very nice time,” 
she said, after a moment’s silence. “And 
now I suppose I must wait until my birth- 
day comes before I can have another good 
time,” she added, with a little sigh. 

“I hope not, my child; I want .you to 
have a good time every day.” 

“ But I mean there will be no more 
parties until my birthday comes,” ex- 
plained Mabel. 

“I know of something that is as good 
as — ^perhaps better than — a party.” 

“ What, auntie ? And is it for children 
or big people? And when will it be?” 


THE PARTY. 


105 


“For big people, and for little people 
too, and perhaps it will be next week — a 
picnic in the gardens.” 

“A picnic! Oh, auntie, a real picnic 
with luncheon and all?” 

“Yes, a real picnic; and we shall per- 
haps go early in the morning, before the 
sun is hot, and have both breakfast and 
luncheon before we come home.” 

“Will Fannie and Katie go too?” 

“Yes, and their mamma, and Edwin 
and his mamma, and Emma and her 
mamma.” 

“That will be jolly! And now, auntie, 
are you too tired to read a little to me in 
my Peep of Day? and then I should like 
to say my prayers and go to sleep.” 

Mabel had played hard and was very 
tired, so Mrs. Howard took the little girl 
in her arms, read to her, and then un- 
dressed her. Then Mabel kneeled by 
auntie’s side, as she did every night, and 
asked God to forgive her if she had been 


106 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


naughty, and to bless papa and mamma, 
and Frankie, and the dear brother and 
sister in America, and all the native 
Christians, and the poor heathen too; then 
she kissed auntie, and was soon sound 
asleep with smiles on her face even in 
her dreams. 


CHAPTEK XI. 

THE PICNIC. 

rpHE day for the picnic was as pleasant as 
could be desired. Every one in the 
house was up early that morning, and the 
children were very impatient to be off. The 
luncheon-baskets were made ready, the dan- 
dies brought out, with rugs and wraps and 
umbrellas, and at last the men who were to 
act as bearers arrived. 

‘‘ I think I will take you with me to-day,” 
Mrs. Howard said to Mabel. 

‘‘ I shall like that, for I do not think I 
could carry an umbrella such a long 
way.” 

All were soon seated and on the way, the 
children with shouts and laughter. But 
suddenly Mrs. Howard’s bearers dropped 

107 


108 


M ABELLS SUMMER. 


the dandy and said they could go no 
farther. 

What is the matter?’’ she asked. 

‘‘ It is heavy,” they answered, ‘‘ with two 
people, and we cannot go on unless we 
have more men.” 

‘‘ Oh dear ! What shall we do ?” pouted 
Mabel. “ Must we sit here all day ? And 
Fannie and Katie and Edwin, and every- 
body, will get there first !” 

‘‘Be patient, my child,” Mrs. Howard 
answered : then, turning to the men, she 
said, “ Can you call help quickly ?” 

“ Oh yes,” they answered ; and one of the 
men, darting out of sight, appeared almost 
immediately, followed by two strong men, 
who had doubtless been waiting. 

The dandy was quickly lifted, and the 
men moved briskly forward. Mabel’s 
spirits rose again when they came in sight ^ 
of the other members of the party. 

How many interesting things were to be 
seen on the road ! and Mabel was constantly 


THE PICNIC. 


109 


exclaiming at something that surprised or 
amused her: 

Do look at that man taking all those 
dogs out for a walk ! How' funny ! I can 
count them, and there are twenty-five. See! 
he leads some by a chain, and the rest fol- 
low when he calls them. Some are dressed 
in little blankets. Is it not very funny, 
auntie ?” 

‘‘ I think the owner has no little children 
to love, and so he keeps this family of dogs 
to amuse him,” Mrs. Howard said. 

“But even one little girl is nicer than 
ever so many dogs; don’t you think so, 
auntie ?” 

“Indeed I do,” answered Mrs. Howard, 
patting Mabel’s cheek. 

Just then some strange - looking men 
passed, with long hair hanging below their 
turbans and wearing very loose and filthy 
clothes. 

“ Where do they come from ?” Mabel 
asked. “They are not like the men who 


110 


MABEL'S SUMMER. 


live here, and the people in the plains are 
different.” 

‘‘ They come from a country very far off, 
called Cabul, and they bring from their 
own country raisins, dried fruit, nuts, and 
various other things ; for they live in a 
fruitful land.” 

They do not look nice, auntie. Do they 
know anything about God ?” 

I am afraid not, my child. They are a 
very jealous people, and will not allow 
strangers to go into their country ; and so 
those who would like to do so cannot go to 
them to tell them of Jesus the Saviour.” 

Men with deep baskets strapped to their 
backs were passing along, bending beneath 
heavy loads of charcoal. Others were 
hawking about fruit for sale; others, po- 
tatoes. Bullocks were on the road, with 
panniers heavily laden with grain or vege- 
tables ; some were bearing large leather 
bags filled with water. 

“What pretty creatures these oxen are. 


THE PICNIC. 


Ill 


and so gentle! Are the oxen in America 
like these?’’ 

‘‘ Not quite ; in America oxen do not 
have the large hump between the shoulders 
so common here. These are certainly very 
gentle, although their drivers are not always 
kind to them.” 

“Do you see those donkeys with a net 
on their noses? What is it for?” Mabel 
next asked. 

“ It is called a muzzle. The panniers 
these animals carry are filled with grain, 
and the muzzle is to prevent them from 
helping themselves to the grain. It does 
not look at all comfortable, and long ago, 
when the Bible was written, the husband- 
men were forbidden to muzzle the mouth 
of the ox when the grain was trodden 
out — -just as it is in India to-day.” 

Thus in pleasant talk the time passed 
until the garden was reached. The men 
with the luncheon-baskets had already ar- 
rived. All were glad to rest for a time in 


112 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


a pleasant arbor which afforded shelter from 
the sun. 

The garden was a delightful spot. A 
brook rippled through it, and there were 
great trees and beautiful flowers, while 
strange bright birds warbled or screamed 
as they circled through the air. 

The children were wild with delight. 

‘‘Such a nice big place to play in they 
said; “plenty of room to run about, and 
no fear of falling down a precipice.’’ 

And the happy children did enjoy their 
liberty. They came in a little while to ask 
when breakfast would be ready, for they 
had taken but little food before leaving 
home. 

A fire was kindled, potatoes were roasted 
in the ashes, the kettle was boiled, and, 
while the children had fresh, rich milk to 
drink, tea and cofiee were provided for 
their elders. On the ground in the arbor 
the breakfast was spread, and all enjoyed 
it. Then, when everything had been care- 


THE PICNIC. 


113 


fully put aside, the ladies took out their 
books and their work, and pleasantly the 
hours passed. The children roamed about 
under the great trees, coming with eager 
delight now and then to show a pretty bit 
of rock they had found in their rambles, 
a brilliant leaf, a curious flower, or a won- 
derful butterfly they had succeeded in 
capturing. When tired, they would re- 
turn to the group in the arbor, rest a 
while, and then rush off again to their 
games. 

But at length the little ones came with 
complaints of hunger. 

How rapidly the hours have passed 
said one of the ladies. “It is time for our 
luncheon so work and books were laid 
aside, the cloths spread upon the ground, 
the luncheon-baskets once more brought 
out, and as the covers were lifted there 
were occasional shouts of delight from the 
children at the discovery of some unex- 
pected treat. 


114 


MABEL SUMMER. 


When luncheon was over, preparations 
were made for setting out on the return, 
and, though the day had been so happy, 
the children were as eager to be at home 
as in the morning they had been to set 
out. 

When Mabel was being made ready for 
bed, she said, 

“We have had a lovely day. We chil- 
dren all tried to be good, and no one was 
cross or disobedient. I think you will like 
to take me again some time. Don’t you 
think so, auntie?” 

And auntie thought she should. 


CHAPTER XII. 

MABEL IN TROUBLE. 

rpHE day after the picnic Mabel slept late, 
and when she wakened was not so happy 
as usual ; I suppose she was not quite rested 
after the long ride and rambles of the day 
before. Mrs. Howard had a new alpenstock 
ready for her, and, tying on her sun-hat, the 
little girl amused herself for some time in 
running up and down the steep descent that 
led from the cottage to the road to see how 
much support her new walking-stick would 
give her. 

Mabel was thus amusing herself when 
Mrs. Howard went out on the pony for a 
short ride. As she was returning, and just 
before she reached the house, she heard a 
crash, followed by screams of fright. Her 

115 


116 


MABEL ’S SUMMER. 


wise little pony stood quite still for a 
moment, as if wondering what it could 
all be about, and then moved briskly 
on. 

What did Mrs. Howard see when she 
turned the corner? The steep path that 
led from the house to the road had no pro- 
tection. A gentleman who had called at 
the cottage was going down this path on 
his pony, when the animal shied, and be- 
fore his rider could control him had fallen 
down a depth of fifteen or twenty feet ; and 
that was the sound Mrs. Howard had heard. 
There was the horse floundering about and 
the gentleman trying to right himself. He 
called out that he was not hurt, greatly to 
the relief of the friends above, who had 
rushed out at the sound of the fall. The 
gentleman had fallen upon his head, but 
the large and very thick sun-hat he wore 
had protected him, and perhaps saved his 
life. 

“Auntie’s pony will fall just that way 


MABEL IN TROUBLE. 


117 


some day,” said Mabel. “ Please, uncle, do 
not let her go out any more.” 

Indeed, all were thoroughly frightened, 
and very thankful for the deliverance of 
their friend. 

“ Now come in, Mabel,” said Mrs. 
Howard. ‘‘It is too hot to play in the 
sun.” 

“ But I want to stay out ; it so nice 
here, and I do not think the sun is too 
hot.” 

Mrs. Howard would not allow her to 
remain out longer then, and Mabel obeyed 
very unwillingly, coming in with a cloud 
on her face and dragging her feet after her 
as if she found them very heavy. She went 
immediately into the room where she slept, 
and, finding on the table a piece of pretty 
chintz that had been given her for a dress 
for Dolly, she began making a little skirt, 
and in this happy employment soon forgot 
her troubles. 

Some time afterward, Mrs. Howard, en- 


118 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


tering the room, saw Mabel standing before 
the glass throwing her head first on this side, 
and then on that, and tossing about her long 
ringlets, evidently well pleased with the 
image she saw reflected in the glass. 

Fannie appeared just at that moment, 
and called out, 

‘‘I know what made you look in the 
glass that way, Mabel : you are proud, and 
that is wicked.’’ 

Mabel turned quickly at the sound of 
Fannie’s voice and looked at her with angry 
eyes, but, seeing Mrs. Howard, she was silent 
and hung her head. 

Drawing Mabel to her side, Mrs. Howard 
said kindly, 

“God has been very good, to give you 
two eyes to see with, two ears to hear with, 
a tongue to talk with, hands to handle, feet 
to run about, a home, and friends to love 
you. It is right to rejoice in these good 
gifts, and we ought to thank God always 
for his kindness to us and his care over us. 


MABEL IN TROUBLE. 


119 


Did my little girl thank God this morning 
for watching over her during the night? 
and did she ask him to care for her to-day 
and to help her to be good?” 

No, auntie ; I forgot all about it.” 

It was a day of trials with Mabel. Some 
time after breakfast she came running in to 
Mrs. Howard, her blue eyes full of tears 
and her voice choked with sobs as she 
held out a dainty little doll of which she 
was very fond. 

‘^Do see that, auntie!” she sobbed out. 

One of its little feet is quite broken off ;” 
and she threw herself into auntie’s arms 
and cried as if her heart would break. 

Mrs. Howard was very sorry for her and 
tried to comfort her, for she knew that this 
was a real grief. 

Mabel lifted her head after a time, dried 
her eyes, put her maimed darling tenderly 
away, and went out to play with Fannie. 
For a little while all went well ; then Mabel 
came back, looking very unhappy again. 


120 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


She rocked herself in her little chair a 
few moments, and then said to Mrs. How- 
ard, 

‘‘ Have you not told me, auntie, that when 
any harm was done — anything broken or 
lost or spoiled — it was right to confess it, 
and not to hide the fault?’’ 

‘‘Yes, my child,” Mrs. Howard answered; 
and then she waited to hear what more 
Mabel had to say. 

“Well, Fannie broke something this 
morning.” 

“ So it is not your fault you are confess- 
ing, but Fannie’s?” 

“ Well, Fannie was to blame. And she’s 
not one bit nice to-day, but is just as cross 
and selfish as she can be,” Mabel answered, 
defiantly. 

“ But have you been kind and unselfish, 
Mabel? You are older than Fannie, and 
should set her a good example. Have you 
and Fannie quarreled?” 

Mabel’s answer was a burst of tears. 


MABEL IN TROUBLE. 


121 


‘‘ Oh dear !” she sobbed. ‘‘ What a mis- 
erable day ! I wish it was over.’’ 

Mabel had more troubles before the day 
was past, and most of them of her own 
making. When, after tea, Mrs. Howard 
took her to her room and began undress- 
ing her for bed, knowing that she was very 
tired and feeling sure that her good-humor 
would come with the morning, Mabel cried 
and struggled and behaved like a naughty 
spoiled child. The next morning, when 
she had been rested by sleep, her eyes were 
bright and her voice was kind. 

“ Oh !” said Mrs. Howard ; I have got 
my own pleasant little Mabel back to-day. 
I’m so glad !” 

Mabel threw her arms around Mrs. How- 
ard’s neck, and, kissing her, said, 

‘‘Yesterday was a miserable day, auntie;” 
then, pointing to the bed, she said, “ There 
is where I was lying last night, kicking 
and crying. The covers would not stay on, 
and everything went wrong. But I know 


122 


M ABELLS SUMMER. 


why I was so miserable yesterday : Satan 
was in my heart all day, and I did not 
even try to get him out; but I’m going 
to keep up a good fight with him to- 
day.” 


CHAPTER XIII. 

THE NEW ARRIVAL, 

^NE morning, as Mrs. Howard was dress- 
^ ing, Fannie appeared at the window. 
Her eyes were shining; she was hopping 
first on one foot and then on the other, 
clapping her hands and uttering little ex- 
clamations of delight. Presently she tapped 
on the window to attract Mrs. Howard’s at- 
tention. That lady nodded a ‘‘ Good-morn- 
ing,” and then Fannie asked, 

‘‘Is Mabel up yet? and may I come 
in?” 

Mabel heard Fannie’s voice, and, rubbing 
her eyes, looked about until she caught a 
glimpse of Fannie outside: 

“ Why, auntie, what is the matter ? Do 
look at Fannie up and dressed already.” 

123 


124 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


Then she bounded out of bed, and, run- 
ning to the window, asked, Why are you 
up so early, Fannie?” 

‘‘ I have something so nice to tell you !” 
was the gleeful answer. 

By this time Mrs. Howard had opened 
the outer door, and Fannie, bounding in, 
whispered to Mabel, 

‘‘ What do you think we have got over to 
our house ?” 

Of course Mabel could not tell, so Fannie 
explained : 

baby — a dear little sister; and she 
came in the night, while I slept. But I 
expect she disturbed mamma, for she is 
tired and will not get up to-day.” 

‘‘A baby? a real baby?” exclaimed 
Mabel. ‘‘Where did it come from?” 

“From America,” answered Fannie; 
“ the nurse told me so when I asked 
her.” 

“I do not believe it is true,” Mabel said, 
warmly. “ My pretty wax doll came from 


THE NEW ARRIVAL. 


125 


America, and so did yours ; but don’t you 
know that only God can make live babies? 
Mamma has told me about it. You know 
my little brother Frankie?” she continued. 

Well, papa and mamma were in America 
and all ready to come back to India when 
God sent them baby Frankie to take care 
of. Wasn’t that a nice surprise?” 

When Mabel was dressed, she asked to 
go with Fannie to see the new baby. 

Nurse has it,” said Fannie ; ‘‘ so we will 
not disturb mamma.” 

When the two girls came back, a few 
moments after, they had many questions 
to ask about the little stranger. Fannie 
had permission to spend the day with 
Mabel, so that mamma might rest ; but 
the children made many visits to the dear 
baby during the day, and each time had 
wonderful things to tell. 

“ I have thought of a new play,” Mabel 
said, at length. Bring all your dolls in 
here, and I will get mine.” 


126 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


When the dolls had arrived, Mabel 
said, 

‘‘Your wax doll is the very biggest of 
all, so we will call that the mamma, and 
the others are the children. This wee 
dolly is the baby — just like your baby- 
sister; so put it in mammals arms, and 
we will all keep still while mamma and 
the baby sleep.’’ 

The children moved about very quietly 
for a few moments, and busied themselves 
selecting the clothes in which mamma and 
baby should be dressed when their nap was 
done. 

At length Fannie said, 

“ I don’t think there is any fun in keep- 
ing still so long, do you, Mabel?” 

“ Everything is ready now,” Mabel an- 
swered; “and let us go in the shade and 
gather some flowers before we take the 
dollies up.” 

When the flowers had been gathered, 
Mabel said. 


THE NEW ARRIVAL. 


127 


‘‘My large doll is not well. She seems 
feverish, and Ihn afraid she has the mea- 
sles. I must call the doctor and have 
some medicine.” 

The sick doll received every attention 
from the little nurses, but she did not im- 
prove; and Mabel said at length, 

“ I think she will die. Then I shall put 
these pretty flowers all about her. That’s 
what I gathered them for.” 

And thus with the family of dolls the 
little girls amused themselves all the morn- 
ing. 

In the afternoon Mabel and Fannie had 
permission to go in a dandy to the top of 
the hill, where they could see the “ice- 
mountains,” as they called the snow- 
crowned peaks. 

“ And may we go in and tell Mrs. Can- 
ning about the baby?” asked Mabel. 

Permission was given, and they went 
away as happy as possible. They returned 
just before the sun went down behind the 


128 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


mountains, their hands filled with ferns 
and beautiful wild flowers. 

Only think, auntie Mabel said, show- 
ing her some fine ferns; ‘Hhese grow on 
trees, and high up too. A man got them 
for us. And these great beautiful flowers 
— what are they ? And do they grow in 
America ?” 

They are called dahlias, my child ; 
they grow in America, but there we cul- 
tivate them in gardens. I never saw them 
growing wild, as we find them here.” 

‘^We are going to divide the flowers 
now,” Mabel said ; and soon the children 
were engaged in this happy employment. 
Suddenly, Mabel looked up and said, 
^‘Mrs. Canning and Dora were so sur- 
prised to hear about the baby, and they 
are coming down to see it soon. And oh, 
auntie! did you know that once, a long 
time ago, when Fannie and her mamma 
went up to see Mrs. Canning, Fannie went 
out to play and fell far down a very steep 


THE NEW ARRIVAL. 


129 


place among some bushes? She could not 
get up, and her mamma did not know about 
it ; but a little orphan-boy saw her, and he 
went all alone down the rocks another way, 
lifted Fannie up and brought her to her 
mamma. Was not that kind? And we 
saw the very place to-day ; Dora showed 
it to us.’’ 

I have heard about Fannie’s fall,” Mrs. 
Howai’d answered. ‘‘ She was in great dan- 
ger, and God sent some one to take care of 
her. It was certainly very kind and brave 
in the little orphan-boy to rescue Fannie 
without even alarming her mamma.” 

“ I know what an orphan is, auntie : it 
is a little boy or girl who has no papa nor 
mamma. Dora says that where she lives 
in the plains there are many little orphan- 
children. Where did they all come from?” 

‘‘ Many of them lost their parents dur- 
ing those years when little rain fell ; nothing 
could grow, and there was not food enough 
for the people.” 


130 


MABEL’S SUMMER. 


“ I know, auntie : that is a famine.’’ 

‘‘ Yes, Mabel ; and during those dread- 
ful famine years a great many people 
died, and thousands of children were left 
orphans. Many of these starving chil- 
dren were brought to the missionaries, 
and were fed and clothed and instructed. 
Some who have been thus cared for have 
become good men and women, and have 
been very useful to their own people.” 

I wish there would never be any more 
famines, auntie. Do you think there will 
be one this year?” 

‘‘I hope not, my child. But the rains 
are very late in coming; and if they are 
much longer delayed, I fear many people 
will suffer. But, Mabel dear, who sends 
the rain?” 

“ God gives us rain, and I am going 
to ask him in my prayer to-night to send 
the rain soon, so that there will not be 
a famine; for I do feel so sorry for the 
poor little orphan-children.” 


CHAPTER XIV. 

THE COMING OF THE RAIN. 



lOR several days after MabeTs talk with 


■*" Mrs. Howard about famine and its con- 
sequences the little girl prayed night and 
morning for rain, and she talked often of 
the poor people who would surely suffer if 
rain did not soon come. One morning, 
when she awoke, she said, as Mrs. How- 
ard came into the room, 

<< Why, auntie, are you up ? And it is 
early, for it is not light yet.” 

‘‘Not so very early, my child — indeed, 
you have slept longer than usual — but it 
is dark because there are so many clouds.” 

“ Clouds, auntie ?” said Mabel, springing 
out of bed. “ Then there will be rain, and 
the poor coolies will have food. I am sure 
God did hear me when I asked him to send 


131 


132 


MABEL'S SUMMER. 


rain, and I’m going to thank him now;” 
and the little girl, with tangled curls and 
white night-robe, knelt at auntie’s side and 
thanked God for clouds, and then said. 
Please let rain come this very day.” 

And rain did come. At the first sound 
of the pattering drops on the roof, Mabel 
rushed out to the veranda and called 
out, 

‘‘ It’s coming ! it’s coming ! Do look, 
auntie and Fannie! I wish it would rain 
a whole month; then there would not be 
a famine.” 

The rain fell steadily for several hours, 
and for a time it was pleasant to watch it ; 
but at length heavy mists crept up from 
the valleys and drifted in through the 
open doors and windows, so that it was 
necessary to close them. 

‘^But, auntie, it is dark and not nearly 
as nice with the doors closed ; please 
leave them open,” pleaded Mabel. 

“ They must be closed, my child, or the 


THE COMING OF THE BAIN. 


133 


heavy mist will make everything damp 
in the house. But we will have a fire 
kindled in the grate, and that will be com- 
fortable and cheerful.” 

Mabel watched the flames leap up, and 
enjoyed the warmth and brightness. Then 
she called Fannie and Katie, and they 
played with their dolls and a pretty little 
tea-set until they were tired. Then Mabel, 
going to the window, asked somewhat 
dolefully, 

‘‘ Do you think it will rain until night, 
auntie, so that Fannie and I cannot go 
out even for a little walk?” 

‘‘I am afraid you will be kept in all 
day,” Mrs. Howard answered, pleasantly. 
‘‘ But think, my little girl, how much good 
this rain will do, and how many are re- 
joicing in it.” 

Mabel did not answer, but stood looking 
out at the clouds. 

Presently, Fannie crept to her side and 
said. 


134 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


Let US go in and see Baby. That will 
be almost as nice as a walk.” 

That night, as Mabel was being undressed 
for bed, she said, 

‘‘Perhaps it will rain all day to-morrow 
too.” 

“ Then I hope you will be a happy little 
girl within-doors.” 

“ Well, auntie, I suppose more rain would 
be good for the ground ; but if it should 
rain and rain, it would be very hard for 
me.” 

The next morning, when Mabel opened 
her eyes, she said, 

“ Is it raining ?” 

“ No, dear,” was answered. 

“Then Fannie and I can go out for a 
walk,” she exclaimed, joyfully. 

Mabel was soon in readiness, and as eager 
to be out as if she had been a long time kept 
in the house. 

Fannie was with her, and soon Mrs. 
Howard heard the little girls calling to 


Monkeys at home. Page 135. 








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THE COMING OF THE RAIN. 


135 


her from the rear of the cottage. She 
was on her way to them, when she met 
Mabel coming to beg her to hasten. 

‘‘ There are monkeys in the trees in the 
valley back of the house. I never saw so 
many before. Do please come quick,” 
Mabel said, excitedly, and running on with- 
out waiting for her aunt. 

Mrs. Howard followed Mabel not unwill- 
ingly, and stood beside the children, watch- 
ing with almost as much interest as they the 
monkeys as they leaped from branch to 
branch, chattering to one another the while 
as if holding a council of war. Some were 
small baby-monkeys ; others were large, 
with comical faces framed in a ruff of 
gray hair. How active they were, climb- 
ing, leaping, suspending themselves from 
a branch by their long tails, then draw- 
ing themselves up and darting away ! 

The children were almost as excited as 
the monkeys, constantly giving utterance 
to exclamations of wonder and delight. 


136 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


Did you ever see monkeys up here be- 
fore?’’ Mabel asked. 

‘‘ I have not seen them,” Mrs. Howard 
made answer, but they do come frequently 
in fruit-time, and I have heard that in a 
single night they have taken all the 
peaches from that tree before the house 
just when they had become ripe and were 
ready for use.” 

‘‘The mischievous creatures! Why did 
not some one come with a gun and kill 
one? and that would have frightened all 
the rest away.” 

“ I am not sure about that. Monkeys 
are not only mischievous, but seem to be 
revengeful; and when one of their number 
has been killed or injured, they have been 
known to attack the offender. Besides, the 
poor Hindus regard the monkey as a sacred 
animal, and esteem it a greater crime to 
kill a monkey than to take the life of a 
fellow-creature.” 

“How very silly, auntie!” said Mabel. 


THE COMING OF THE RAIN. 


137 


“I should think they would as soon wor- 
ship a snake as a monkey.” 

“ The snake is regarded as sacred by them, 
and they are very unwilling to kill even the 
most dangerous of these creatures.” 

“Well, auntie, I am very glad that I am 
not a stupid Hindu.” 

“ It is certainly much to be thankful for 
that God has given you Christian parents 
who have taught you that God alone is to 
be worshiped. But the ground is damp ; 
come into the house now. I think you 
can see the monkeys from the low window 
in your bedroom.” 

This prospect made the children quite 
willing to follow Mrs. Howard into the 
house ; but when they reached the front 
veranda, they quite forgot the attractions 
of the low window in the rear, for sitting 
on the veranda with their wares already 
spread out were men with feathers and the 
wings of bright-plumaged birds they had 
captured, and the skins of animals with 


138 


MABEL^S SmiMER. 


long soft fur, as well as other men with 
beautiful shawls from Cashmere, embroid- 
ered robes, and many other things. But 
perhaps nothing interested the two girls 
so much as a box of butterflies which the 
little son of a soldier had for sale. The 
beautiful gayly-painted insects were care- 
fully arranged in a neat box, which the 
boy said his father had made for the pur- 
pose. The little boy and his sister had 
caught the butterflies in a net, and their 
father had promised them the money made 
by the sale of the case and its contents. 

There were so many pleasant things out- 
side to enjoy that Mabel went very unwill- 
ingly to her bath when the ayah came to 
call her, and Fannie saw no charm in the 
long columns of spelling. 


CHAPTER XV. 

THE BIRTHDAY PARTY. 

ri'lHE time so long and anxiously looked for 
at length arrived. For a week before 
the coming of the eventful day Mabel had 
been in a state of excitement, and very im- 
patient sometimes, feeling as if the days 
would never pass. She wondered if mam- 
ma would forget when her birthday came. 
Mrs. Howard was sure she would not. 

And do you think she will send me a 
present? and if anything should come, do 
you think my name will be on the parcel, 
or yours, auntie?’’ 

Such questions Mabel asked many times 
during the day. The morning before Mabel’s 
birthday, as Mrs. Howard stepped out upon 
the veranda, to watch for the coming of the 

189 


140 


MABEL’S SUMlMEB. 


postman, Mabel bounded forward to meet 
her, her eyes shining and her hands 
full. 

“ See r* she cried out ; the postman has 
come, and he brought this,^’ holding up the 
parcel, “ and it has my very own name on 
it. And mamma did not forget.” 

‘‘ I was sure mamma would remember,” 
Mrs. Howard answered, ^^but I am almost 
sorry that the parcel came to-day.” 

‘‘ Oh, never mind that, auntie ; I’m not 
disappointed. Indeed, I think it’s a great 
deal nicer this way, for I am sure I shall 
get something to-morrow; so it’s like hav- 
ing two birthdays. May I open the par- 
cel this minute?” 

‘‘Yes, my child. Shall I help you?” 

“ Please, auntie, for it’s fastened with such 
a stout bit of twine that I cannot get the 
knots undone.” 

While Mrs. Howard was loosening the 
cord, making it easy for Mabel to do the 
rest, the little girl sat at her feet with 


THE BIRTHDAY PARTY. 


141 


Sparkling eyes and glowing cheeks. Pres- 
ently she exclaimed, 

‘‘ It’s a book ! I do wonder what it is ? 
Something nice, I’m sure ; for mamma 
knows that I am fond of reading.” 

What a happy little girl Mabel was when 
the precious book was in her hands ! 

How beautiful it is !” she exclaimed. 
‘‘And how kind in papa and mamma to 
send it !” she added, in a softer tone, at the 
same time passing her fingers with caressing 
touch over the page where mamma had writ- 
ten her name. 

“Mamma, I am sure, is thinking much 
about her little girl to-day,” said Mrs. How- 
ard, drawing Mabel toward her, “ and pray- 
ing for her, too, that she may be happy and 
good.” 

All day long Mabel was running hither 
and thither. Her dolls were dressed in 
clean clothes, her tea-set was carefully 
washed, and her books were put in their 
places. 


142 


MABEL'S SUMMER. 


‘^Everything is done now,” Mabel said, 
at length, “ and the day is not nearly over. 
What shall I do next?” Then she added 
quickly, “You know you said I need not 
have lessons to-day nor to-morrow.” 

“ And you need not,” said Mrs. Howard, 
smiling. “ I am going to make a cake now, 
and perhaps you would like to watch me.” 

“ Is the cake for the birthday, auntie ?” 

“ Yes, dear ; and if you wish, you may 
ask Fannie to come too.” 

“ Thank you, auntie ; that would be 
jolly!” 

The two little girls sat in one chair and 
watched with interest all the operations of 
cake-making, chatting merrily the while. 

When the loaf had been brought from 
the oven, Mabel discovered Mrs. Howard 
in the act of frosting the cake; and when 
she saw the white loaf bearing, in pink 
letters, her name, she was delighted. 

The next morning Mabehs eyes were 
open with the first streak of dawn, and 


THE BIRTHDAY PARTY. 


143 


she bounded up, her face all smiles and 
her happy voice calling to Mrs. Howard 
to ask if she did not feel glad that it did 
not rain on her birthday, for now all the 
little girls could come. 

When Mabel was dressed, she went with 
Fannie and Katie to gather flowers; and 
when they returned, they busied themselves 
in dividing and arranging their flowers and 
ferns. 

Mrs. Howard found beside her plate 
at breakfast a glass fllled with delicate 
flowers. 

“It’s a surprise for you from Fannie and 
me,” Mabel explained. 

And there was a surprise for Mabel beside 
her own plate at breakfast. 

“ What is it ?” she asked, taking up the 
parcel. ‘‘A birthday present from you, 
auntie ?” 

“No, dear. Open the parcel, and you 
will see.” 

The paper was quickly torn open, dis- 


144 


M ABELLS SUMMER. 


closing a handsome volume in blue and 
gold — a delightful child’s book with abun- 
dant illustrations. 

‘ A birthday present to Mabel from 
Auntie Linton/ ” Mabel read. 

Mrs. Howard, watching her, was surprised 
to see, not the smiles of pleasure she had 
expected, but gathering tears. 

‘‘ Why, Mabel, what is the matter ?” she 
asked. 

Oh, auntie !” she said, trying to swallow 
her sobs ; I’ve got two books just like this 
at home. What shall I do ?” 

It was a disappointment. 

‘^Mrs. Linton did not know, of course. 
She thought you would be sure to like 
this book — such a pretty story, and so 
easy to understand,” Mrs. Howard said, 
trying to comfort her. But never mind, 
dear ; finish your breakfast, and then I 
have something to show you.” 

“A present, auntie? I wonder what it 
will be?” and in happy expectation her 


THE BIRTHDAY PARTY. 


146 


disappointment about the book was for 
the time forgotten. 

Breakfast and prayers over, Mabel took 
Mrs. Howard’s hand, saying as she did 
so. 

Are you ready now, auntie ?” 

Mrs. Howard went to a closet and took 
therefrom a pretty little bed with mattress 
and pillows, sheets and blanket. 

Oh how nice !” exclaimed Mabel. 
‘‘Just what I wanted for my dolls! And 
did you make these yourself, auntie?” 

“Yes, the mattress, and the pillow, and 
the sheets, and the blanket, I sewed at 
night when my little girl was sleeping.” 

“ Thank you, auntie dear ! And do you 
think anything else will come for me to- 
day?” 

“ Wait patiently and see,” was Mrs. How- 
ard’s answer. 

Then came a request to play in the shade 
in the yard with Fannie. Mrs. Howard 

fastened on Mabel’s sun-hat, and sent the 
10 


146 


M ABELLS SUMMER. 


happy little girl out with her playmate, 
while she busied herself with preparations 
for the coming of the young guests. Pres- 
ently she heard a scream of pain, and, run- 
ning to the door, was shocked to see Mabel 
standing with head thrown back, while down 
her face a stream of blood was flowing. 
Fannie was standing beside her, looking 
pale and frightened. 

What is the matter, my child ?” 
asked Mrs. Howard, taking Mabel in her 
arms. 

“ Fannie did it with a stone,” she cried, 
between her sobs. ‘‘But don’t scold her, 
please, auntie, for she didn’t mean to hurt 
me. She picked up a stone to see how far 
she could throw it down the hill, and it 
slipped from her hand and hurt me;” and 
the sobs broke forth afresh. 

Mrs. Howard looked at the wound. The 
sharp stone, sent by Fannie’s vigorous hand, 
had made a deep cut just above the temple. 
Auntie’s face looked very grave. 


THE BIRTHDAY PARTY. 


147 


Don’t scold Fannie,” Mabel said again ; 
“ she’s sorry.” 

Mrs. Howard was touched by the dear 
child’s plea. 

‘‘ Fannie did not intend to hurt you, I 
know,” she said, ‘‘ but Fannie knew that it 
was wrong to throw stones at all.” 

Mrs. Howard bathed the wound, feeling 
very sorry for the injury, but so thankful 
that it had not struck the temple or 
for ever quenched the light of an eye. 
She was wondering if the wound would 
heal without leaving an ugly scar, when 
Mrs. Gould — a lady who gathered daily 
around her table eight healthy, roguish 
children — called. 

‘‘ I am sure Mrs. Gould will know 
just what to do,” Mrs. Howard said to 
Mabel, “ for doubtless there have been 
many falls and bruises and cuts in her 
great family.” 

And Mrs. Gould brought both help and 
comfort. The ragged edges of the wound 


148 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


were joined together by her trained and 
skillful fingers, and she left Mabel with 
tears dried and a patch of black court- 
plaster over the wound. 

Mabel was glad to lie down for a little 
while, and soon Fannie came softly in. 
She was indeed sorry for the injury to 
her little playmate, whom she loved very 
dearly. 

While the two children were chatting 
together as pleasantly as possible, Mrs. 
Howard came in with two or three brown- 
paper parcels, which she left the little girls 
to examine alone, and the shouts of delight 
which again and again greeted her ears 
proved that they were happy. 

After an early dinner Mabel was made 
ready to receive her guests, while Mrs. 
Howard arranged the dainties for the 
table — bread and butter and buns; fresh, 
sweet berries and cream ; seed-cakes cut 
in such shapes as delight the heart of 
a child ; chocolate-creams and the loaf 


THE BIRTHDAY PARTY. 


149 


of cake bearing, in pink letters, Mabel’s 
name. 

When Mabel was dressed, she came to 
see it all, and, squeezing Mrs. Howard’s 
arm by way of caress, said. 

You are a dear auntie, to do all this for 
me.” 

Then she ran out to welcome her guests, 
as the ayah reported that several of the lit- 
tle maidens were coming up the hill, and 
soon all had arrived. 

What a merry time they had together ! 
and how pleased Mabel was to show the 
gifts the day had brought her ! Mabel 
herself presided at the tea-table, looking 
very important as she poured out tiny 
glasses of lemonade. When Mabel’s cake 
was cut, she was allowed to help her guests 
to a liberal slice of the precious loaf. I 
think every one enjoyed the feast — Mrs. 
Howard not the least, it was so pleasant 
to see so many bright young faces. 

After the tea there were merry games in 


150 


MABEL^S SUMMER, 


the yard ; then, when the sun dropped be- 
hind the top of the highest mountain-peaks, 
there were hurried preparations for the 
home-going. 

AVhen the last little guest had departed, 
Mabel, standing beside Mrs. Howard’s chair 
and rubbing her cheek against hers, said. 
This has been such a happy day ! — all 
but the hurt. Will you tell mamma, when 
you write, what a nice time we have 
had?” 

‘‘Yes, Mabel; and I hope to write to- 
morrow. I am glad you have had so 
pleasant a day,” Mrs. Howard answered, 
taking the little girl in her arms, “and 
you must not forget to thank God for all 
his loving care over you, and to ask him 
to be with you and to take care of you in 
this new year.” 

Mabel put her arm around Mrs. How- 
ard’s neck, and, looking out through the 
open door into the deepening shadows, 
dropped her head upon auntie’s shoulder 


THE BIRTHDAY PARTY. 


151 


and was silent. Looking down into her 
face soon after, Mrs. Howard saw that 
the blue eyes were closed. The little girl 
was fast asleep. 

Thus ended MabeFs seventh birthday. 


CHAPTER XVI. 

SMILES AND TEARS. 

IVf ABEL had been very well all summer, 
but a few days after her birthday party 
she began to droop, and Mrs. Howard 
thought she seemed feverish ; and so a 
doctor was called. 

“I don’t want to see him,” Mabel said, 
when she knew; but after he had paid 
his visit, Mabel, lying in auntie’s arms, 
said, “ I like Dr. Hendley very much. 
I’m sure he’s a nice man, he’s so fond of 
children.” 

But, though Mabel liked the doctor, she 
did not like the medicine he left for her ; 
and when Mrs._ Howard had prepared and 
brought it to her, the impatient little girl 
pushed the cup away. 

152 


SMILES AND TEARS. 


153 


I can’t take it, auntie,” she cried ; I 
know it’s bitter.” 

It will not be pleasant to take, cer- 
tainly,” was answered, ‘‘but we hope it 
will help to make you well.” 

“ No, no ! take it away,” Mabel screamed. 
“ It’s no use for me to try : I know I can’t 
swallow it.” 

Mrs. Howard was distressed. She did 
not like to trouble Mabel, but she knew 
that she must take the medicine, and was 
at last obliged to speak very firmly to her. 
Then Mabel swallowed the bitter dose amid 
a flood of tears. 

The next day the little girl was really 
better. Before she wakened, Mrs. How- 
ard had a fire kindled in the room, and 
placed beside Mabel’s bed a little table 
covered with a snowy cloth. As soon as 
the little girl opened her eyes auntie was 
at hand to ask her if she felt better, to 
bathe her face and hands and to brush her 
tangled curls ; then a delicious little break- 


154 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


fast was brought and laid on the table by 
the side of Mabel’s bed. 

The little girl watched auntie as she 
went back and forth doing all these pleas- 
ant things for her, saying nothing for a 
few moments; then, looking brightly up, 
she asked, 

“Is there any more medicine to take 
to-day?” 

“Yes, dear,” was the answer. 

“ But I’ll take it without the least bit of 
fuss ; I’ll not even make a wry face.” Then, 
after a moment, she added, “I was very 
naughty yesterday. I did feel badly, but 
it was naughty, all the same.” 

Auntie kissed the penitent upturned face, 
and it was “ all right between them,” as 
Mabel said. 

The little girl was soon able to run about 
and play as before; but when the Sabbath 
came, Mrs. Howard did not think her quite 
well enough to attend church. Mabel 
learned a verse of Scripture and repeated 


SMILES AND TEARS. 


155 


it to auntie, then read in one of her ‘‘Sun- 
day books,’’ and afterward gave a lesson to 
the ayah, telling her in a sweet childish 
way the story of creation, of man’s fall 
and of Jesus the Saviour. She gathered 
a few wild flowers she found growing in 
sheltered nooks close to the house, but after 
a time grew tired. 

“Auntie,” she said, “ may I blow soap- 
bubbles a while?” 

Mrs. Howard laid aside her book and, 
putting her arm around the little girl 
said, 

“ Not to-day, dear ; this is God’s day.” 

Mabel stood a moment as if considering 
what argument to use in favor of her plan ; 
then, looking up, she said in a very persua- 
sive tone, 

“ But, auntie dear, I want to see the 
beautiful colors God has made.” 

Mrs. Howard smiled, but even in the face 
of such a reason did not yield : 

“ No, Mabel ; to-morrow will do for that. 


156 


MABEL'S SUMMER. 


Shall I read to you in the new book mamma 
sent you ?” 

And will you explain all the hard words 
to me, auntie?” 

“ Of course, my child ; and when you are 
tired, I will tell you a story of my life when 
I was no larger than you.” 

Can you remember so far away as 
that?” 

‘‘ Yes, Mabel : and some of the memories 
of my childish years are very sweet and 
pleasant, and some are sad.” 

“I expect you were naughty sometimes 
like me; all little girls are,” said Mabel. 

And so in reading and in listening to 
auntie’s stories of her early years the day 
passed quickly. 

Mabel had been promised a ride in the 
dandy with Fannie on Monday if she felt 
strong enough. There was rain in the 
night, with thunder and lightning. When 
Mabel wakened in the morning, the sun was 
shining, and as it touched the dripping 


SMILES AND TEARS. 


157 


leaves of the trees they shone like dia- 
monds. 

‘‘ Why, auntie, it has rained and I did 
not know it !” exclaimed Mabel. Did you 
hear it?” 

‘‘Yes, my child, for there was thunder 
with it, and sharp lightning.” 

“ I am glad that I slept, for I am sure I 
should have been afraid. But do you think 
I can go out for my ride ?” 

“ I think so, Mabel ; but you must not 
leave the dandy to run about after ferns 
and flowers, or you will take cold.” 

Mabel and Fannie went out in the dandy 
together, and were told that they could go 
up the hill as far as Mrs. Murray’s house. 

“ And may we stop a few minutes ?” 
Mabel pleaded. “Winifred and Laura are 
very nice children.” 

“ I do not object if Fannie’s mamma is 
willing,” said Mrs. Howard. 

Fannie’s mamma was quite willing, so the 
two little girls were told that they might 


158 


MABEL'S SUMMER. 


spend an hour with Winifred and Laura 
Murray. 

When they came back, both of the little 
girls were much excited, hardly waiting 
until the dandy touched the ground before 
they leaped out. 

Oh, auntie,” exclaimed Mabel, what 
do you think happened last night? Mrs. 
Murray’s house was struck by lightning, 
and ever so many things were destroyed in 
the very room where Mrs. Murray and 
the children were lying, but they were 
not hurt. When one dreadful peal came and 
the room seemed all on fire, the little girls 
crept close to their mamma and said, ‘ Don’t 
be afraid, mamma; God can take care of 
us ;’ and Mrs. Murray says she is sure God 
did keep them, for they were in great dan- 
ger.” 

After a thoughtful pause, Mabel asked, 

‘‘Would you rather be in heaven or 
here, auntie?” 

“ I should rather be here until God 


SMILES AND TEARS. 


159 


wants me to come to him,” was the 
answer. 

I think heaven must be a beautiful 
place,” Mabel continued ; but if Adam 
and Eve had not sinned, then this would 
have been a nice world too. Now people 
are wicked, and there is ever so much 
trouble : people are sick and poor, and all 
that.” Then, after a moment, she added, 
“ I wish I could see the garden of Eden, 
but I suppose it’s all in ruins now.” 

Mrs. Howard had promised Mabel that 
she should spend a part of the next day 
with her friend Emily Foster if she was 
well enough ; so when she opened her eyes 
on Tuesday morning and remembered the 
promised pleasure, she leaped gleefully out 
of bed and, shaking the curls from her eyes, 
said, 

“ See, auntie ! I’m not a bit sick ; so I can 
go, can’t I ?” 

‘‘ I think so, little one. But I am writing 
a letter to mamma ; and when you are 


160 


MABEL SmiMER. 


dressed and have taken your breakfast, 
would you not like to print a little letter 
to send with mine?’’ 

But it will take so long, and I’m in a 
hurry to go.” 

‘‘I do not wish you to go to Emily’s at 
once, for I am afraid you will play so hard 
that you will be ill again if you stay all 
day.” 

What’s the use in going at all if I can’t 
stay?” said Mabel, with a pout. 

You need not go if you prefer to stay 
at home,” auntie answered. 

Mabel played with Fannie for a time; 
then she came to Mrs. Howard and asked 
for pen, paper and ink, and then sat down 
to print her letter to mamma, but she turned 
away from auntie and worked in silence 
with impatient little jerks that showed she 
was very unhappy. After a few moments 
she rose quickly from her chair and went 
to her room. When she came out, she said 
to Mrs. Howard, 


SMILES AND TEARS. 


161 


‘‘I can’t write to-day. Some other day 
when you are writing I will send a letter. 
Will that do?” She stood by the window 
a moment, then she turned again to Mrs. 
Howard and asked, Am I really not going 
to Emily’s at all to-day ?” 

Do you wish to go, when you cannot 
stay all day?” 

‘‘Yes, auntie,” was softly answered. 

“ Then ask the ayah to get you ready, 
and you may go down and stay two 
hours.” 

When Mabel was in readiness, she walked 
slowly through the room in which Mrs. 
Howard sat, and slowly, very slowly, down 
the hill. Presently she turned and ran 
swiftly toward the house, and did not stop 
until she reached Mrs. Howard’s side. 

“ Auntie,” she said, “ I was very cross 
and naughty this morning ; and when I 
was playing with Fannie, I broke a plate; 
and when I was writing just now, I spilled 
ink on my new pinafore. Satan told me 


162 


MABEL’S SUMMER, 


not to say anything about it, but I knew 
if I minded him I should just be miser- 
able all day. IVe told now, and I feel 
so much better,’’ she added, with a sigh 
of relief. 

Mrs. Howard kissed the blushing cheek, 
and then Mabel once more turned her face 
toward the home of her friend, this time 
with flying footsteps. 

But Mabel had more trouble before the 
day was over. When, after two hours, she 
returned, Emily was with her, and Mrs. 
Howard noticed that both the little girls 
were very quiet and that Mabel did not 
care to come into the house. 

‘‘You have had a pleasant time, I hope?” 
she said, encouragingly. 

No answer from Mabel, but Emily spoke 
up: 

“Mabel is hurt, but only a little. We 
were playing with slings, and one of the 
stones slipped out and struck Mabel on 
the forehead.” 


SMILES AND TEARS. 


163 


Mrs. Howard drew Mabel to her side, 
and, removing her sun-hat, saw the purple 
bruise and passed her hand very gently 
over it. 

At this Mabehs tears burst forth, but she 
sobbed out, 

I’m not crying because I’m much 
hurt.” 

She thinks,” said Emily, taking up 
the story where Mabel had dropped it, 
‘‘.that you will not let her come down 
again very soon because she has been 
disobedient. She says you have told her 
not to throw stones.” 

“ But I did not think it would do 
much harm if the stones were in a sling,” 
said Mabel, in self-justification. 

Auntie said but little. She bathed 
Mabel’s forehead, brushed back her hair 
and took the little girl in her arms, for 
she was still not very strong. 

When Mrs. Howard was undressing 
Mabel for the night, the little girl. 


164 


M ABELLS SUMMER. 


toucliiiig the bruise, which still showed on 
her forehead, said, 

^‘Auntie, I was disobedient to-day, and 
this is the punishment God let me get.’’ 


CHAPTEK Xyil. 

MABEL AS HOUSEKEEPER. 

rpHE summer was rapidly drawing to a 
close, and Mr. Howard, with health 
greatly improved, was anxious to be again 
in his place in the plains. The day of 
departure had been agreed upon, but Mrs. 
Howard was anxious to visit with a friend 
a celebrated tea-plantation in the beautiful 
valley at the foot of the mountains. It was 
not convenient to take Mabel, so Mrs. How- 
ard hesitated. 

“ Let me care for Mabel while you go,’’ 
said Mrs. Linton, kindly. ‘‘She is quite 
at home here, and she and Fannie play 
together much of the time every day.” 

“ Oh, auntie, that will be nice !” cried both 
Mabel and Fannie. 

“ I must think about it a little first,” said 

166 


166 


MABEL’S SUMMER. 


Mrs. Howard, thanking Mrs. Linton for her 
kind offer. 

It was at length arranged that auntie 
should go, leaving Mabel with Mrs. Lin- 
ton. She could take her meals sometimes 
with Fannie, and Fannie could sometimes 
come to her, and the little girls would 
spend the days together in their plays 
or their lessons. 

‘‘ And when you come back, will you tell 
me all about the wonderful things you have 
seen ?” questioned Mabel. 

“ Certainly, deal*.” 

So Mrs. Howard went away for two days, 
and Mabel watched her as she was carried 
down the hill, throwing kisses to her until 
she was out of sight. Then she went back 
into the house with Fannie to bring out her 
dolls for a day’s visiting, feeling quite im- 
portant, as the lady of the house. Fannie, 
she insisted, should be her guest that day, 
and the next day she would take her meals 
at Fannie’s table. 


MABEL AS HOUSEKEEPER. 


167 


At night, when Mabel grew tired and 
sleepy, she thought the house looked very 
lonely without auntie, and wished that 
auntie was at home to tuck her in bed 
and to kiss her good-night. 

But the ayah, who did not usually stay 
at night, and who was very fond of and 
very kind to the little girl, saw the shadow 
creeping over her face, and, guessing the 
reason, sought to amuse her. 

“ When you have been undressed,” she 
said, “ and are in bed, I will tell you a new 
story about Lillie, the little girl I took care 
of before I came here.” 

‘‘ A really new story, ayah ?” 

Yes, and a very nice one, too — the best 
of all.” 

When Mabel was ready for the night, she 
kneeled beside her little bed, and to her 
usual petitions she added a prayer that the 
dear Jesus would take care of auntie and 
bring her safe home on the morrow. Then, 
bounding into bed, she said, Now for the 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


168 

story, ayah;” and ayah began a narration 
of some of the wonderful events in Lillie’s 
child-life. 

At first Mabel listened with wide-open 
eyes ; then the lids drooped, and soon in her 
dreams Lillie’s doings were strangely mixed 
up with the adventures of Fannie and Katie 
and her own brother Frankie. 

The next day passed quickly. The little 
girls had a long walk in the morning, and 
came home laden with flowers. Then, as 
had been arranged, Mabel took her meals 
with Fannie. Emily Foster came up for 
a part of the day ; and when she went 
home, the little girls were allowed to walk 
down the hill with her. 

Do you think auntie will be at home 
before my bedtime?” Mabel asked Mr. 
Howard, when she had taken her tea. 

I think so,” uncle answered. 

But Mrs. Howard was delayed ; and when 
she returned, Mabel was fast asleep. How 
glad she was to see auntie in the morning ! 


MABEL AS HOUSEKEEPER. 


•169 


for though it was very nice to be the house- 
keeper, and to have visitors, and to visit all 
day long, yet it was much nicer to have 
auntie at home. 

“What are those white blossoms in the 
glass by my plate Mabel asked when she 
took her place at breakfast ; “ and where 
did they come from?” 

“ They are tea-blossoms,” was the answer, 
“ and I brought them for you from the tea- 
plantation in the valley.” 

“How pretty, auntie! and so sweet!” said 
Mabel, taking a spray from the glass. 

“ They are very fragrant. And here are 
some seeds, too,” said Mrs. Howard, drawing 
from her pocket a handful of small, smooth 
brown things. 

“ Are half of them for me and half for 
Fannie ?” 

“ Yes, dear ; and after breakfast you may 
ask Fannie’s mamma to let her come and 
sit with us, for I think she too would like 
to hear about tea-making.” 


170 


MABEL^S SmiMER. 


‘‘Can I understand it? and are there 
little girls in it?” asked Mabel. 

“ I shall try to make it plain, and there 
are a great many little girls in it,” said Mrs. 
Howard, smiling. 

Breakfast over, the two little girls were 
seated by auntie’s side, waiting for her to 
begin. Taking the glass from the table 
and removing from it a cluster of the 
fragrant blossoms, Mrs. Howard said, 

“ When I was at Mr. Newcomb’s yester- 
day, we were taken early in the morning 
to the gardens where the tea-shrub was 
growing, and I picked these blossoms.” 

“Did they grow high up, like the blos- 
soms on the peach tree by the wall ?” 
asked Mabel. 

“ No ; on low trees or shrubs, four or 
five feet high. The branches are thick 
and widespreading, but the trees are not 
allowed to grow tall, because then it would 
not be convenient to pick the leaves from 
them.” 


MABEL AS HOUSEKEEPER. 


171 


“ But why do they wish to pick the 
leaves?” questioned Fannie. 

Because it is of the leaves that the 
tea is made. All the leaves are not taken 
off at one time : some are picked from each 
shrub ; and when they grow again, they 
are again taken off. The young and ten- 
der leaves make the best tea.” 

But what do the little girls do ?” asked 
Mabel. ^‘You said that little girls help.” 

‘‘Pick the leaves, to be sure; that is the 
first thing to be done. Yesterday I saw 
the pickers at work — men, women and 
children, both boys and girls, and all 
chatting away as merrily as possible ; 
but their fingers flew faster than their 
tongues.” 

“ Why did they want to hurry so, 
auntie?” asked Mabel, who was not very 
fond of work. 

“I will tell you: When the bell rang 
at noon, Mr. Newcomb stepped into the 
house and asked us if we would like to 


172 


MABEL'S SUMMER. 


come out to the great shed aud see the 
tea-leaves weighed. Of course we did, 
and went immediately. The shed had a 
tiled roof and was supported by a great 
many pillars, for it was very large ; the 
floor was smooth and hard. There were 
several pairs of great scales in the shed, 
and by a table sat a man with a , large 
book before him. From the tea-garden 
the pickers came trooping in, each bear- 
ing on his or her head a basket of leaves. 
When all had arrived, the man at the table 
read a name from the book before him. 
Immediately a little girl stepped forward 
and tossed into a pair of scales the leaves 
from the basket on her head, and a man 
standing by the scales called out a number, 
which the man at the table wrote ojDposite 
the name. Then another name was called, 
and another basket of leaves was weighed; 
and so on until all the baiskets were 
emptied.’’ 

‘‘ What was it all for, auntie ?” 


MABEL ^*9 HOUSEKEEPER. 


173 


“The pickers are paid for the amount 
of work they do, each one receiving a penny 
a pound for the leaves picked ; and that is 
the reason they hurry so, Mabel. During 
the tea-season some of the boys and girls 
earn quite a large sum.’’ 

“Do they pick all day, auntie? They 
must get very tired.” 

“No doubt they do, but the people are 
poor, and so anxious for the money that 
they cannot stop even when tired.” 

“ What do they do next, auntie ?” 

“ When the leaves have been weighed, 
they are spread upon the cement floor to 
wilt, and are afterward put into great pans 
made fast in a range of masonry. These 
pans are kept hot ; to prevent the leaves 
from being burned, they are stirred very 
rapidly for a few moments, until they are 
thoroughly heated, when they are thrown 
upon tables over which is a netting of bam- 
boo-work. Around these tables stood strong 
men, and each man took a portion of the 


174 


M ABELLS SUMMER. 


wilted leaves and kneaded them very much 
as bread is kneaded. The moisture thus 
squeezed out of the leaves ran through 
the netting, leaving the mass somewhat 
dry. The leaves were once more heated 
in the pans over the range, and again 
kneaded and then spread out to dry. 
When quite dry, the tea was sifted and 
the fine kept by itself, as this is the best 
tea. When this had been done and the 
bits of twigs picked out by women and 
children, the tea was ready to be boxed. 
In one room we saw men putting it into 
boxes, and in yet another room men were 
marking the filled boxes.” 

“ Thank you, auntie !” said the little 
girls ; ‘‘ we never knew so much about 
tea before.” 

‘‘ And I too while at the plantation 
learned much that was interesting to me 
about the culture of tea.” 

“I am going to tell mamma about it 
now,” said Fannie. 


MABEL HOUSEKEEPER. 


175 


“ And I,” added Mabel, will try to 
remember what auntie lias told me, so 
that I can tell mamma about it when 
we go home. — But when are we going, 
auntie 

Next week, on Tuesday, we hope to 
go,” answered Mrs. Howard. 

Oh, I’m so glad,” exclaimed Mabel, 
jumping up and whirling about. Then, 
seeing that Fannie did not join in the 
merriment, she added, “I forgot, Fannie, 
that you were not going too; but you will 
be coming after a while.” Then, turning 
to Mrs. Howard, she asked, ‘^How long 
will it take us to get home? Two days?” 

“ Longer than that, dear ; for we intend 
spending a few days in Jeypore on our 
way down.” 

Where, auntie ?” 

“ With Dr. and Mrs. Collins.” 

‘‘Then I shall see Maud,” said Mabel/ 
delighted. 

“ I promised Mrs. Collins, when she was 


176 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


here, that we would visit them on our way 
home and bring you with us.” 

‘‘ Does mamma know about it ?” 

Yes, Mabel ; I have written to her, and 
she is willing.” 

How many days before we start, auntie ? 
Let me see! This is Thursday: Friday, 
Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. Five 
days I I’m afraid I can’t wait.” 

Oh, you will be very busy until then. 
I intend taking you with me to the school 
one day; another day to pay a farewell 
visit to Mrs. Canning and her children, 
and to have one more peep at the ice- 
mountains; and another day to see Mrs. 
Wheeler and Carrie. And then we shall 
be very busy at home getting ready, and 
you can help.” 

Of course I can, auntie ; and I will 
begin this minute to pack up my books 
and my toys;” and away she went, Fan- 
nie and Katie following to help. 


CHAPTEE XYIII. 

THE JOURNEY HOME. 

rpUESDAY soon came, for the last days 
had been full of busy preparation. 
When the final morning came, and the 
boxes and packages had all been sent off, 
and a dandy had been brought to the door 
for Mrs. Howard and Mabel, and the rugs 
and cushions were in place, and Mr. How- 
ard’s pony stood pawing impatiently to be 
off, nothing remained but to say “ Good- 
bye.” 

Mabel stood looking about a little wist- 
fully. 

‘‘ I shall be so glad to see papa and 
mamma and Frankie,” she said, ‘‘but I 
am sorry to leave Fannie and Katie.” 

The good-byes were at length over, and, 

12 177 


178 


MABELS SUMMER. 


taking her place in the dandy opposite 
Mrs. Howard, Mabel was ready to enjoy 
the journey. They stopped a moment at 
Mrs. Foster’s to say ‘‘Good-bye” to the 
friends there ; but they could only wave 
a “ Good-bye ” to Emma Waters, for her 
father’s house was on a little hill some 
distance from the road. 

The route lay through the bazar, where 
the shopmen were busy setting out their 
wares in preparation for the day’s business. 
Men were coming up from the valley with 
baskets of fruit and vegetables, and pur- 
chasers were constantly arriving. 

Soon the path began to descend, and as 
the sun climbed higher in the heavens our 
travelers were grateful for the shade occa- 
sionally thrown across their path by the 
great trees. 

“ I suppose we cannot see the ice-moun- 
tains any more, auntie?” Mabel said, at 
length. 

“No, we have left them behind us; but 


THE JOURNEY HOME. 


179 


I know they are glorious now, with the sun 
lighting up their glittering peaks.’^ 

Are you sorry we are going to leave 
them, auntie?” 

No, dear ; for, though it would be pleas- 
ant at any time to look upon a sight so 
grand, our home is in the plains and our 
work is there, and I am glad that we are 
on our way home.” 

^‘Then we are not going to Jeypore, 
after all?” Mabel said, in a disappointed 
tone. 

To be sure we are, but that is on the 
way home.” 

By noon the party had reached the lovely 
valley at the foot of the mountains, and the 
journey over the low range of mountains 
still to be crossed was made in the daytime ; 
so all enjoyed it. 

How strange it seemed to be again within 
sight and sound of the iron horse ! and the 
ride on the railway to Jeypore was almost 
as much of a novelty to Mabel now as 


180 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


the ride in the dandy had been when they 
climbed the mountains in the summer. 

Upon their arrival at Jeypore the trav- 
elers were warmly welcomed by Dr. Collins, 
who drove them in the large family-carriage 
to his pleasant home. When they reached 
the house, they were kindly welcomed by 
the ladies of the family, and pretty dark- 
eyed Maud smiled her welcome, though 
clinging timidly to her mamma’s skirts. 
The visitors were immediately shown to a 
large upper room commanding a wide and 
delightful prospect. 

Mabel, seeing hills in the distance, ran 
to the window. 

“ Oh, auntie,” she cried, “ there are moun- 
tains here. Are they the very same we saw 
at Landour?” 

‘‘No, dear; those are far off now, and 
these are but hills in comparison with the 
lofty Himalayas.” 

As Mabel stood looking out of the win- 
dow several carriages entered the yard. 


THE JOURNEY HOME. 


181 


Why are so many people coming here 
so early in the morning?” she asked. 

Her question was answered by Mrs. Col- 
lins, who knocked at the door at that 
moment to say that a large number of 
curious snakes that had been captured, 
and were about to be sent to Bombay, 
were being fed before beginning their 
journey. She asked if Mrs. Howard and 
Mabel would like to come to see them. 

Mrs. Howard did not care to go down, 
and Mabel declined to go unless auntie 
went. 

Why do people want to catch snakes ?” 
Mabel asked. ‘‘Will they kill them?” 

“No, Mabel; these are to be kept as 
curiosities by a gentleman who is fond of 
all wonderful creatures God has made, lik- 
ing to keep for exhibition even a variety 
of snakes.” 

“ Well, I should never want to see them,” 
exclaimed Mabel; and Mrs. Howard quite 
agreed with her. 


182 


MABEL ’ 5 ' SUMMER. 


But there was something to be seen that 
very afternoon that was enjoyed by all. 
The state of Jeypore, of which the city 
of the same name is the capital, is gov- 
erned by a native king, who for the de- 
fence of his little kingdom, as well as to 
support his royal dignity, maintains quite 
an army. His troops are reviewed once a 
year, and our travelers had arrived on 
the very day on which the review was 
to take place. 

Dr. Collins had arranged for an elephant 
to convey the party to the parade-ground. 
The huge creature arrived about sunset. 
He was covered with a cloth that reached 
almost to the ground, and which was very 
gay with embroidery and gold and silver 
trimmings. His keeper sat astride his 
neck, and at a word of command from 
him the obedient animal kneeled upon the 
ground. A ladder was placed against his 
side, and the party, one by one, mounted 
to the seat fixed securely upon his back. 


THE JOURNEY HOME. 


183 


Mabel was trembling when she was lifted 
to her place by Mrs. Howard’s side. 

“ Are you not afraid ?” she asked. 

“No, dear; this elephant is well trained, 
and seems as gentle as uncle’s pony.” 

This reassured the little girl, but she 
could not help uttering a slight scream of 
terror as the elephant slowly rose from his 
kneeling posture and lifted his riders high 
into the air. But as the huge creature 
moved cautiously forward and seemed to 
obey every word or motion of his keeper, 
Mabel gained courage again, and was soon 
so much interested in the sights about her 
as almost to forget her strange position. 

The streets were full of people gayly 
dressed after the manner of the people 
of the Orient, and all apparently very 
happy. There were women as well as 
men, in raiment of scarlet, violet, blue, 
orange and green ; and the children were 
a pleasant sight with their great black 
eyes full of wonder at all the strange 


184 


31 A BEL’S SUMMER. 


things about them. And how gorgeous 
they were in their clothing ! — the boys in 
caps glittering with gold and silver em- 
broidery, and in little tunics of brilliant 
colors and richly trimmed; the girls with 
gay dresses and wearing various ornaments 
— rings not only in their ears, but in their 
noses, on their toes as well as on their 
fingers ; not only with bracelets on their 
arms, but with bands on their ankles, 
making a tinkling sound as they walked. 

There were many other elephants on the 
road, all making their way to the parade- 
ground. Camels, too, there were, decked 
in gayly - embroidered trappings, and the 
horses that dashed by were glittering with 
tinsel and embroidery. 

When the great square was reached where 
the troops were assembled, our visitors were 
conducted to seats arranged upon a little 
rise of ground commanding a fine view 
of the whole scene. In the centre of the 
square a temporary throne had been erected 


THE JOURNEY HOME. 


185 


for the maharajah, who rode to his place 
after the darkness came on, escorted by a 
procession bearing torches. Then the can- 
non thundered, and the affrighted elephants 
made a hoarse trumpeting sound, and the 
camels sullenly growled. The travelers 
then mounted the elephants again, and 
through the lighted streets rode slowly 
homeward. 

The week spent in Jeypore was a very 
happy one. Mabel and Maud were soon 
well acquainted and the best of friends. 
Maud had wonderful stores of toys, but 
among all her treasures nothing pleased 
Mabel so much as the goat-carriage — a 
real little carriage with seats for two and 
drawn by a large strong goat as gentle as 
a pony and wearing pretty leather har- 
ness. In this carriage the girls went out 
daily, and sometimes had, besides, a ride 
on Maud’s pony, which was so gentle that 
Mabel did not feel at all afraid, especially 
as a man always walked beside the pony. 


186 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


Then Mabel sometimes went out with the 
ladies in the large carriage. 

They drove one day to a beautiful garden 
filled with rare flowers. There were cages, 
too, filled with birds of wonderful plumage 
— pink and scarlet, green and gold. Then 
there were monkeys in great numbers and 
doing many amusing tricks, and bears in a 
cave, and many other things. 

Another day the whole party drove out 
to see the tigers belonging to the mahara- 
jah, which were kept in a low house with 
strong walls, each one in a little room by 
itself, with strong iron bars in front. Mag- 
nificent creatures they were, but frightful 
indeed as they strode backward and forward 
in their cages lashing their tails ; and when 
they roared, the sound was simply terrible. 
One of the tigers, the very smallest, was 
in a tempest of fury whenever a lady ap- 
proached her cage, especially if she carried 
a parasol or an umbrella. The keeper ex- 
plained that when she was a cub some lady 


THE JOURNEY HOME. 


187 


visiting the cages had taken delight in 
punching her with her parasol to make 
her growl, and the revengeful beast had 
never forgotten the injury to her dignity. 

But, of all the pleasures in that happy 
week, the visit to Amber, a deserted city, 
was the crowning delight. The day before 
this visit the servants of the household were 
very busy in preparations for the important 
event, for the whole family was to go and 
take both breakfast and dinner at Amber. 
Three elephants had been engaged for the 
excursion, and they arrived early in the 
morning, but not before the household 
was astir. The servants brought out the 
well -filled hampers, and these were placed 
upon one of the elephants, with the servants, 
and the two other elephants sent forward, to 
be in readiness when the carriage containing 
the family should arrive. The day was 
lovely, cool in the early morning, and 
every one was happy, the little girls in 
great glee. 


188 


MABEL^S SUMMER. 


At the point where the road was no long- 
er fit for carriages the elephants were wait- 
ing, and the party soon mounted to their 
places. They passed by beautiful summer- 
houses and deserted gardens, and on the 
banks of a pretty little lake alligators, 
looking in the distance like logs of wood, 
were basking in the sun. 

Up hill and down the elephants slowly 
pursued their way, at length reaching the 
deserted old city. They turned into a large 
courtyard surrounded by a high wall, and 
at the foot of a long flight of steps the ele- 
phants kneeled. 

Enjoyable as had been the ride, all were 
glad to be at the end of the journey, for 
the sun was now high in the heavens and 
the heat had become oppressive ; besides, 
all were hungry. Climbing the broad 
flight of stone steps and crossing a paved 
court, the party entered one of the halls of 
a marble palace, now unused, but beautiful 
with its fine arches, graceful pillars and 



Hindu Ladv, 


Page 189. 


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THE JOURNEY HOME. 


189 


wonderful inlaid work. Here it was cool 
and pleasant, and on the marble floor the 
breakfast was spread. 

When this was over and all had rested 
a little, they explored the other halls of the 
palace, and from the turrets admired the 
fine views, the green hills, the lake trem- 
bling in the sunlight and the gardens with 
their grand old trees. 

They wandered at length from the palace 
designed for the king to the small, plain 
rooms set apart for the ladies of the royal 
household, and Mabel wondered, as well she 
might, why these were so rude and uncom- 
fortable, while the apartments for the king 
were so magnificent. 

‘^They were heathen, Mabel,’’ was Mrs. 
Howard’s answer. ‘‘ They did not know 
that God loves all his creatures alike ; that 
Jesus, when he was upon earth, was kind to 
woman — just as kind as to man ; that he 
loved all children ; and that when he laid 
his hands upon the little ones in blessing, 


190 


MABEL'S SUMMER. 


that blessing was meant for the sisters as 
well as for the brothers.’’ 

Very long ago Amber was deserted, and 
the king founded the new city, Jeypore, and 
opened his court there ; yet in the old city 
there are still many fine temples, and once 
or twice a year the king and his nobles come 
back to worship ; so that many priests still 
live in the old city. Into a temple close 
beside the palace the visitors looked, and 
saw the hideous image which the people so 
devoutly worshiped. 

Dinner was served early in the afternoon, 
and not long after preparations were begun 
for the home-going. The elephants were 
once more mounted, and four or five miles 
from home the party found the carriage 
waiting to convey them to the house. They 
reached home just after the lamps were light- 
ed, all very tired, but agreeing that the day 
had been full of pleasure and interest. 

You have seen the old palace ; now you 
must see the new,” said Dr. Collins as they 


THE JOURNEY HOME. 


191 


parted for the night ; so, if you are rested, 
we will visit that to-morrow.’’ 

A night of refreshing sleep brought a 
cheerful party around the breakfast-table 
next morning, and all quite ready to ac- 
company Dr. Collins when he proposed a 
visit to the palace. What a massive pile 
it was ! and how beautiful were the mar- 
ble halls, and how charming the views 
from the turrets ! 

But the time for departure at length ar- 
rived, and once more the travelers resumed 
their journey. 

‘‘Shall we make any more visits by the 
way, auntie?” questioned Mabel. 

“ No, dear ; we are going home now.” 

“ When shall we be there ?” was the next 
question, a softened look in Mabel’s eyes. 

“To-morrow morning, I hope.” 

“Will it be early?” 

“Yes, Mabel.” 

“Then I suppose papa and mamma will 
not expect us.” After a little pause she 


192 


M ABELLS SUMMER. 


added, “IVe thought it all out, auntie. 
Of course mamma will not think of our 
coming so soon, so we’ll just go to your 
house, auntie; then we’ll put the house in 
order and invite papa and mamma and 
Frankie up to tea. How surprised they 
will be to find that we’ve come ! and I can 
go home with them then and she clapped 
her hands gleefully at the thought. 

Early the next morning the train steamed 
into the station. The travelers were in read- 
iness, and Mrs. Howard, looking out of the 
window, saw papa and mamma with eager 
faces watching for their darling. 

Mabel saw them too, and uttered a lit- 
tle shout of delight, her face flushing with 
surprise and pleasure. Mrs. Howard lifted 
Mabel up to the window, and papa, stretch- 
ing out eager hands, received his darling 
into his arms before the train had come to 
a full stop; and thus ended Mabel’s sum- 
mer in the Himalayas. 








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